£18m to fuel major plans for Edgbaston Stadium
Edgbaston Stadium is a step closer to developing an on-site hotel and spectator stand after receiving £18m from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The club hopes to re-develop the Raglan and Priory stands to create a concourse with enhanced food and drink options and improved facilities for disabled spectators, as well as developing a four-star hotel with a rooftop terrace and pitch-view rooms with balconies.
It’s expected the project will create more than 376 jobs during the construction period and another 100 post-completion, adding to the 1,000 jobs the stadium already supports locally.
Edgbaston will now work alongside partners to secure the remaining funding and embark on a consultation period with stakeholders to submit a planning application in the autumn.
If approved, it hopes for construction to begin in September 2025 and be finished by Spring 2027 in time for that year’s men’s Ashes Test Match against Australia.
The stadium currently contributes around £35m to the local economy and projections from the new hotel development increase that to £40m.
Stuart Cain, Edgbaston Chief Executive said: “Getting the funding in place is crucial. We’re grateful to WMCA for making this contribution and backing our ambition to continue bringing major economic and social benefits to the region through international sport.
“Once the remaining funding is secured, we will consult with the local community and Members on our plans.
“Cricket will always stay at the heart of our thinking, but it’s important we develop a stadium that brings new jobs to this part of the city and creates wider community opportunities through the hotel and an expanded conferencing and events business that sits alongside world class sport.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Chair of the WMCA, said: “The upgrade plans for Edgbaston Stadium will take a globally recognised cricket stage and provide it with the world class facilities it needs to continue thriving in the future
“That’s important because Edgbaston attracts tens of thousands of fans to our region from around the world, boosting our economy and especially our hospitality sector.
“The improvements to the stadium will elevate their experience while directly creating hundreds more jobs for local people.
“So, I’m pleased the WMCA has agreed to support the scheme. It builds on the wonderful legacy of the Commonwealth Games and will help maintain the West Midlands as a key destination for global sporting events in the decades ahead.”
