Elton's Walsall gig is set to bring in £1m

Around 14,000 people are expected to descend on Walsall Football Club home base, which has taken on an extra 30 staff for the show on Saturday night.

Business leaders have welcomed the Rocket Man singer's decision to play in the borough after his management team revealed he personally picked the venue as part of his European tour.

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: "More people coming into town and spending is going to boost trade, the market and the shops that are already here.

"The event will definitely put Walsall on the map.

"These things are difficult to estimate, but I would say based on the numbers that we think may be coming in and the knock on effect on food, hotel and retail businesses it could mean anything from £500,000 to £1m for the local economy."

Hotels, bars and restaurants in the vicinity are also expected to cash in as fans book up rooms and look for a bite to eat.

Robert Nicholson, general manager at Park Inn in Bescot Crescent, said: "We're happy to support the football club because they are our next door neighbours and we have gained some bookings from people attending the event.

"We're proud to have Elton John in town."

Munir Khan, of Walsall Taxi Owners' Association, said: "We will get extra work on Saturday as a result of such a big gig going on and we welcome that.

"Anything that is coming to the town that is peaceful is a good thing."

Walsall FC released a video of the huge task of preparing the stadium for the show.

Crews have laid the floorboards over the stadium turf to protect it from damage and the seats are being unpacked across the pitch as the site transformed into an outdoor music venue.

Construction of the stage is on track, with workers using a massive crane to install it section by section at the venue.

Karen Donoghue, of Walsall Football Club, said:

"The stage is going up and looks really stunning with the canopy."

President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Ninder Johal said: "The Black Country is traditionally known for its manufacturing heritage, but other people tend to forget that we also have a fantastic visitor economy with emphasis on the creative industries this concert is significant in that it brings another attribute that people don't think of when it comes to our region.

"The impact will be great for the stadium, hotels and restaurants, but I am hoping that for the longer term the impact will be that other artists will also start to come here too."

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, who represents Palfrey ward where the Banks's Stadium is situated said: "It will put Walsall on the map, generate more income and give people a chance to see him. Whenever you have more footfall in the area it has an impact, it is a real positive thing for local businesses and the economy."