Durham Cricket has signed up local property and mining firm Banks Group as its new principal partner in a deal including naming rights to its Riverside ground.
The Chester-le-Street venue will be known as the Banks Homes Riverside as part of a multi-year contract that forms part of Banks’ celebrations of its 50th anniversary in 2026. The agreement will also see Banks’ branding featuring on the Durham Cricket men’s, women’s and junior pathway teams’ kits, as well as around the stadium, which is an established international venue.
Banks replaces Seat Unique, which signed a three-year deal back in May 2022 to take on naming rights to the Riverside. Seat Unique will remain as Durham’s official premium ticketing and hospitality partner.
Banks is a longstanding supporter of Durham Cricket, having worked alongside the club for over 30 years, before it became a first-class county. Its sponsorship enabled the club to set up and run the county under 19 team in 1989, and three years later helped the senior club to become the first county to be granted first class status for 70 years.
Banks has also supported Durham Cricket’s junior player pathway courses since 2006, contributed to the development of the nursery ground at the Banks Homes Riverside and sponsored the county’s boys’ and girls’ age group sides for many years.
Harry Banks, chairman and chief executive at the Banks Group, who also served as president of Durham County Cricket Club in 1998 and 1999, said: “We’ve been part of the Durham Cricket story for many years and it’s a real landmark for us, as a family business that was founded in County Durham almost 50 years ago, to now be starting a new chapter in this very successful relationship.
“Our home county has been the breeding ground for so many outstanding players and teams over the years, and we’re excited to see what all the club’s teams can achieve this season as we extend our support for the home of Durham cricket.”
Banks sees the Durham deal as being a platform to promote the dedicated housebuilding division it launched in 2023. Banks Homes now develops a growing number of residential sites across the North East of England and Yorkshire.
Durham Cricket chief executive, Tim Bostock, added: “Banks Group has been a long-term partner of Durham Cricket who have supported us for over 30 years, and it is fantastic to see they are continuing to work with us over the next chapter for the club.
“Banks Group is a progressive, community-minded partner that aligns with our Northern culture, sharing our passion for community spirit and cricket. Everyone at the club is excited about the coming years, in what is an exciting time for English cricket, as we continue to move forward both on and off the field.”
