Wales v England: Fears of rugby fans and businesses if game off

The barriers are already waiting for fans near Cardiff Central railway station

The cancellation of Wales' Six Nations match against England would be "a catastrophe" for businesses in Cardiff, a hospitality boss has said.

Wales players are threatening not to play on Saturday because of a contracts dispute with Welsh rugby chiefs.

They said their demands should be met by Wednesday to avoid strike action.

Nick Newman, chair of the Cardiff Licensees Forum, said the impact of the fixture's cancellation would be "unimaginable".

Mr Newman, who works for Croeso pub group and manages the Blue Bell pub in Cardiff, said: "This would be nothing less than a catastrophe, coming after what we've already been through in the last few years."

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He said while he hasn't worked out the exact potential losses, each business would likely make the equivalent of "a very good week of sales" on the matchday alone, "not including business from night before and on Sunday, [from] people who are still around".

Mr Newman said the threat of the match being called off was already causing stress to businesses trying to plan ahead.

"Planning for this match started 12 months ago, and all cellars in the city are full to bursting with beer, wines and spirits. On top of that add food, much of which is perishable," he said.

'Reputational damage'

Speaking to Radio Wales Breakfast, he added that, despite an increase in "rugby tourism" recently, "the visitors from over the border in England don't have to book so far in advance".

"In the context of things, it's the tens of thousands of Welsh ticket holders that we would anticipate travelling to the city for the game that just won't come," he said.

Wales players gave bosses until Wednesday to resolve their contracts dispute

Mr Newman added that a cancellation would also cause "reputational damage" for Cardiff.

"When people are investing their hard-earned money into trips like this and it gets called off on the week of the game, you just think: 'What is going on?'"

The fans' reaction

If players refuse to take the pitch it could be the end of Welsh rugby as we know it, says Hayley Lewis from Cardiff

"I think I'd be quite sad," said rugby fan Hayley Lewis from Cardiff. "I think it will be very down for Welsh rugby and I think it could possibly be the end of Welsh rugby as we know it."

She said the players were in a "difficult position".

"I can see why they want to strike but I really hope the game goes ahead," she said. "Fingers crossed they get talking today and get things resolved and [the game] will go ahead."

"They just got to treat [the players] better," said Neil Parker from Quakers Yard in Merthyr Tydfil. "They want to know their future and you can't blame them.

"They work hard for what they're doing so they've got to have their future covered."

Fans look forward most to Wales playing England in Cardiff, says fan Neil Parker

But another fan called on the players to sort out the dispute off the pitch.

"They're going to spoil a lot of people's enjoyment on the weekend," said Barry, from Wenvoe, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"Alright they want more money, everybody wants more money but do it in a different way. Don't spoil the match."

Fan will be "not very happy" and pubs will lose a lot of money, says Barry from Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan

Gwennan, from Cardiff, said she trusted the players had "good reasons" to be in dispute.

"I know how important it is for them and that they wouldn't let everybody down unless there's a very good reason," she said.

It would be "disappointing" if the match does not go ahead says Gwennan from Cardiff, who hopes it could be rescheduled

"I think we'd survive," she said. "Everybody would understand if the players felt that passionate about it, then we'll go with what they think.

"I'm sure they can reschedule it for another time."

Karen Matthews, general manager of the Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites hotels in Cardiff Bay, added: "It's an absolute concern for the industry.

"We are all planning for it to be a strong weekend, so it's really difficult for us to make sure we have the staffing, and contacting the supply chain about the bar stock, all of that this late in the day.

"It would be a very big hit that we would have to take, for the hotels I have here but also for others that are closer to the stadium."