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BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe North West 200 is back in action this week with thousands of people expected to descend upon the north coast for the racing extravaganza.<\/p>\n The influx of people also means big business for local vendors in the area. <\/p>\n The Causeway Chamber estimated that the total economic impact of the North West 200 last year was more than \u00a320m.<\/p>\n President of Causeway Chamber James Kilgore said the event “brings communities together, creates seasonal jobs, and generates long-term tourism interest well beyond race week”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For many businesses, preparations began well in advance of race week.<\/p>\n Janet Chestnutt is the manager of The Three Kings Coffee shop in Portstewart, located minutes away from the racing.<\/p>\n Janet said the North West 200 is a very busy week for the shop with queues expected to be out of the door.<\/p>\n “Our stock will be prepared all week now for it, the kitchen will do their own stock and preparation and our deli counter,” she said.<\/p>\n “We have got a busy shop but the events help us so very much economically.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Adele Kenney works at the Inn On The Coast, which overlooks the race track. <\/p>\n “We look forward to this week every year,” Adele said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Preparations for putting up a stand for visitors to purchase tickets to watch the race at the venue began two weeks ago.<\/p>\n “Once the scaffolding goes up, we do have a lot of explaining to do for our customers, but they then become excited about it,” she said.<\/p>\n “I sold two programmes to two people from Germany and they aren’t even here for the race, [they] just wanted to know more about it.”<\/p>\n Adele says the key item to keep the staff going during the busy period is sweets.<\/p>\n “We take a lot of sugar on board and just keep going and keep on smiling, there is actually a queue of staff wanting to work race Saturday, not the other way around,” she said.<\/p>\n “It is a big week for the inn, you couldn’t do without it up here, it kicks off your summer.<\/p>\n “We are very proud of the North West 200 and we are very proud that it’s on our doorstep.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dylan Neill is the manager of Tides restaurant, which is situated right beside the race track. <\/p>\n The Tides usually opens from 12:30 BST, but for the North West it will open at 08:00.<\/p>\n He said the preparation is “a lot of work” but the hard work is worth it for his team.<\/p>\n “We have built our own bar this year for the outside area instead of using beer pumps, so we’ve made a couple of improvements,” Dylan said.<\/p>\n “It brings so many tourists in, it helps staff get their hours in because usually at this time of year it’s quiet because of kids in school.”<\/p>\n Rolling coverage, analysis, features and results throughout the event will be available on the BBC Sport NI website.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250428-123652-7bc49a8f4-web-2.20.1-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHotels fully booked<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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