Northern Mayors have collaborated to propose that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are hosted in the North of England.

In a letter written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, the coalition of Northern mayors and leaders suggested that the North of England should be the ‘primary host location’ for any future UK Olympic and Paralympic bid.

Among the 12 signatories of the letter are South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, and North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness.

The letter argues that the relocation would allow for a ‘much stronger and fairer redistribution of major events’ and highlights the previous success of the North in hosting large-scale sporting, cultural, and arts fixtures.

‘A Northern-based Olympic Games as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate regeneration, rebalance the economy, and reset international perceptions of England’, the letter reads.

Outlining the benefits of the proposal, which includes a bid for the North of England to host the Olympic Games in 2036 or 2040, the leaders highlight the potential to attract long-term transport, skills, housing, and infrastructure investment through the move.

They also argue that because the North is already equipped with the necessary infrastructure, delivery capability and skills, the change ‘is not a major financial ask of the Government’.

As part of the request for ‘clarity of intent’ from the Government, the leaders called for agreement on their proposal for any future bid to be anchored in the North of England.

Additionally, they urged the Government to support proportionate feasibility and preparatory work, as well as delivering early alignment on the legacy objectives of any bid to secure long-lasting advantages for communities in the North.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: ‘A Games rooted in the North would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring the Olympics closer to ordinary communities that have too often felt like they’ve been left out of the national story.

‘Just imagine how it could inspire a whole generation of kids in Bootle, Barnsley and Byker who deserve to feel that buzz on their doorstep.’

Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, added: ‘Bringing the Olympics to the UK would unite the North and the whole nation, bringing people together and unleashing a groundswell of pride in our places.

‘The Olympics create a legacy like no other, with game-changing investment in jobs, regeneration and transport, creating opportunity for people across the North.’