Man United press ahead with brand new stadium as part of wider regen plan

The first conceptual images and scaled models of what Manchester United’s new stadium and surrounding area could look like have been unveiled by architects Foster + Partners.

The project is to be the focus of Manchester’s pitch at the MIPIM property event in Cannes, where the club and the region’s leaders will attempt to answer questions over its  funding, especially in the light of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s admission in an interview with former player Gary Neville that the club could go bust “by Christmas” without his stringent cost cutting measures.

The club has also linked the development to a wider regeneration agenda and said it supports the government’s growth agenda, a fairly naked plea for government support for the project which Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has backed, claiming it could be bigger than how the Olympics in 2012 regenerated East London.

Foster + Partners have been appointed to design the stadium district. These will provide a masterplan for more detailed feasibility, consultation, design and planning work as the project enters a new phase.

No figures have been mentioned about the cost, but TheBusinessDesk.com understands these have increased to as much as £3bn.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, said yesterday: “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.

“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.

“Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment not just during the construction phase but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete. The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.”

Lord Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, described it as one of the most “exciting projects in the world today” and described the principles behind the initial designs.

“It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar.

“The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square. The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of.”

Omar Berrada, chief executive of Manchester United, said a consultation exercise has led them to this decision: “We have carefully considered its findings, together with the views of thousands of fans and local residents and concluded that a new stadium is the right way forward for Manchester United and our surrounding community. We will now embark on further consultation to ensure that fans and residents continue to be heard as we move towards final decisions.”

However, Dr Tony Syme, macroeconomic expert at the University of Salford’s Business School, cast doubt on the boasts that the project could generate 92,000 jobs and add £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy.

“These are remarkable figures. For example, the development of Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium was estimated to generate £293 million annually to the economy. In 2017/18 when Wembley Stadium hosted 58 events, there was an annual economic impact of £615 million. There is quite a gap from these recent stadium development and urban regeneration projects to the scale outlined by the Old Trafford project.

“The regeneration project would receive government funding, though there are no specifics on how much would be funded at this stage. Given the scale of the project, this is likely to be a huge undertaking.”

Jessica Southworth, Director of Sales & Marketing at neighbouring Hotel Football, said: “The plans announced today for a new stadium will provide a welcome boost to the area, the fans, and, of course, the team. Manchester United is the world’s most famous football club, and we know how much excitement and interest these plans will generate within the community and among visitors from around the world.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said of the wider regeneration plans: “If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012.”