Lancashire flex their financial muscle

Lancashire joined Surrey as one of the most profitable county clubs in the country as they reported an operating profit of £763,000 for 2015 despite not hosting a Test match for the first time since completing their development of Emirates Old Trafford.

They were also successful on the field in Ashley Giles'; first season as director of cricket, achieving promotion back to the first division of the Specsavers County Championship at the first attempt as well as securing a first limited-overs trophy in 16 years in winning the NatWest T20 Blast at Edgbaston with a squad with a strong north-west flavour.

The loss of a Test match was offset by a T20 and ODI involving Australia and New Zealand which brought in more than 50,000 spectators, but the club calculates that there was still a fall in cricket revenue of more than £1.3m because of the absence of a Test.

Lancashire's Conference and Events sector proved more profitable and the Old Trafford Lodge again recorded revenues in excess of £1million ahead of its replacement by a new hotel due for completion this summer. Work commenced on a 4-star Hilton Garden Inn, with 150 bedrooms, in February, the final element of the redevelopment of Old Trafford which commenced in 2009.

2015 also saw the return of major concerts with 50,000 attending the Foo Fighters gig, the success of which has led to promoters bringing both Rihanna and Beyoncé to the venue in 2016.

After a year's absence, 2016 will see the return of Test match cricket to Manchester with Pakistan providing the opposition in July.