Man City scores with new fan zone
MANCHESTER City FC took the wraps off the latest phase of development around the City of Manchester Stadium as billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan paid his first visit to the ground.
A £3m fanzone with two new bars, a cafe and giant TV screens showing highlights and player interviews, designed and built in just eight weeks, was the latest phase in the ambitious club’s overhaul since being bought by the Abu Dhabi-based investor nearly two years ago.
The close season saw £1.5m invested on upgrading corporate facilities at the ground, but the City Square development, is all about the rank and file fans.
Designed by the Manchester office of architects BDP, two areas on either side of the club shop have been built – mercifully given the weather yesterday – under the cover of giant waterproof canopies.
Celebrity chef Marco-Pierre White helped create the menus, and attended the launch of the new area ahead of the victory against Liverpool.
Pete Bradshaw, head of corporate responsibility at Manchester City, told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We have listened to the fans, who said they wanted somewhere to meet and socialise, and the feedback has been really good.
“We have tried to source all the products from suppliers in the North West – the steel for example has come from Bolton.
“I am sure City Square will be used on non-matchday events too, for example as a venue for the Manchester International Festival or for other sporting events such as the cycling championships.”
Mr Bradshaw said the new development had created around 40 jobs.
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