Blues appoint new contractor for stadium works following Buckingham Group administration
Mace has been appointed as construction manager on remediation works at Birmingham City Football Club’s stadium, taking over from Buckingham Group which entered administration earlier this month.
The stadium’s Tilton and Kop stands have been partially shut since 2020 due to asbestos damage.
The project is now expected to be completed before the end of November 2023.
The Lower Tilton safe standing area will be home to more than 3,000 Blues fans. The KOP Lower Stand will accommodate an additional 3,600 fans. When completed St. Andrew’s capacity will be close to 30,000.
Birmingham City chief executive Garry Cook said: “On behalf of all Blues fans I would like to thank the Mace team for stepping forward and helping us in our time of need. By appointing Mace to the construction management role we have ensured we will be in a position to achieve our goal of having close to 30,000 Blues fans, in person at St. Andrew’s, supporting the team later this autumn. Sub-contractors who have worked so hard to get us to this point will now have the opportunity to finish the work they have started. More than 50% of our sub-contractors live in and around Birmingham so it is important that we have been able to get them back to work so quickly.
“I would like to thank the Buckingham Group team members for their commitment and passion to the Birmingham City project. They are professionals who find themselves in a challenging situation. Our hope is that they all find new and rewarding opportunities in the very near future.”
Managing Director, property UK & Europe, Mace Consult, Dan Easthope, said: “Over the coming weeks, Mace will be drawing on our global expertise in stadium and venue delivery, working closely with Birmingham City Football Club and all of the suppliers currently supporting the project to ensure that the remaining work can continue with the minimum of disruption.
“Although the circumstances are unfortunate, we’re pleased that Birmingham City have put their faith in us. We’re confident that we have the right team in place to deliver the outstanding work in a timely manner and ensure that as many fans as possible will be able to support the Club at St. Andrew’s this autumn.”
Grant Thornton has been appointed as administrator of the £700m-turnover Buckingham Group.
