As we know, many industries in the UK are still suffering badly during the economic downturn, and as a result unemployment is heading towards three million. In these worrying times we take solace from sports and hobbies or the company of our families and try to battle through the hard times.

Of course watching sport can be just as a stressful for some of us depending on what team we follow. However, sport is one area providing a few chinks of light for the construction industry.

New football stadiums have been built over the last decade or so for several teams in England including the national stadium at Wembley. Even smaller clubs have shown ambition including Dartford F.C in Kent, who opened their Princes Park at an estimated cost of ?7 million in 2006.

Cricket grounds up and down the country are also benefiting with Lords, The Oval and Cardiff already upgraded with Hampshire and Kent amongst other counties also set to gain significant development. With the Olympics coming to London in 2012 many other building jobs have been created due to this nation?s love of sport.

Some proposed new developments have hit the buffers with, for example, Liverpool Football Club?s new ground already delayed several times. However, as more clubs attract increasing amounts of overseas investment it is anticipated new grounds will be built to help generate revenue.

Championship side Bristol City is the latest club hoping to build a new 30,000-seater stadium, which will include a hotel and conference facilities. Whilst planning permission is awaited here, it is hoped projects like this will provide a welcome boost to the construction industry.