The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure is looking to raise funds by selling the naming rights to the Bowl Stadium and National Sports Centre. Advertising for potential sponsors will appear in local newspapers shortly. Companies interested in branding the Bowl or NSC are asked to make their offer in writing to the Department by midday on Friday 30 September 2011. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘This is a new initiative for the DCCL but is well established in the UK. It’s a way of generating more income from our assets, and hopefully reducing our funding from the taxpayer. It’s a potential revenue source we have to investigate in the current economic climate although the Department will not be obliged to accept any of the applications. Naming rights will only be awarded if it’s considered appropriate for each venue.’ Companies interested in obtaining naming rights have to include in their application the proposed branding; whether the application relates to the Bowl, NSC or both; the contract period proposed (minimum three years, maximum five years); and the annual fee, excluding VAT, being offered. Successful companies will be able to erect signage and name boards around the venues from January 2012, subject to approval of its design and durability by the Department. The DCCL undertakes to ensure the two naming brands will not be directly conflicting in the event the venues’ naming rights are let separately. Offering naming rights for the Bowl and NSC follows the Department seeking expressions of interest and tenders from potential media partners for the Villa Marina. ENDS