Manchester United has updated its stadium regeneration plan, partnering with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
As part of the deal, an advisory team led by an Independent Director will be appointed to help create a vision for the area around Old Trafford, aiming for a world-class stadium that drives wider regeneration and brings social and economic benefits to Trafford and the surrounding region.
The director and the advisory team will coordinate with the Trafford Wharfside master planning process and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, a group of local leaders and national experts established in March to explore options for a new or redeveloped stadium for the club.
Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the task force, said: “The objective of this once-in-a-generation project is not only the development of a world-class stadium for the north of England, but also to ensure that this brings broad social and economic benefits to the local area and surrounding region.
“There is a huge opportunity to connect Trafford Wharfside regeneration with the ongoing growth of neighbouring Media City in Salford, and Greater Manchester’s Western Gateway and Central Growth Cluster plans, to create a project of national significance. The tripartite advisory team will help fully unlock this incredibly exciting potential.”
As the planning is still in its infancy, the advisory team will offer technical and project management support to Trafford Council, GMCA, and Manchester United as planning progresses, while also providing key guidance to shape the final recommendations of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force.
“We have ambitious regeneration plans for the Trafford Wharfside area. Our plan is for up to 5,000 new homes in the area, new opportunities for retail space and better connections between Trafford Wharfside, Salford and Manchester city centre,” Councillor Liz Patel, Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration at Trafford Council, added.
“Trafford is proud to be the home of Manchester United, we already attract thousands of visitors every year, this transformational change will make it the perfect visitor destination for new businesses to invest in.
“We want Trafford Wharfside to be nationally recognised as a place which is dynamic and attractive for residents and businesses, so I look forward to working closely with our partners and local residents to realise our shared goal of transforming the area for everyone.”
While improving the local area was always part of the plan, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s minority owner, originally envisioned the project as creating a “Wembley of the North” to help restore Manchester United to its former glory.
During a home match in May, they met to discuss the plans, and, as if by fate, heavy rain that evening revealed the stadium’s flaws, with waterfalls forming and seats flooding.
With these problems so evident, work began immediately, although the task force recognised from the outset that securing funding would be a significant challenge. It is believed that redevelopment of the existing stadium would cost in the region of £1bn and building a new stadium altogether would require approximately £2bn.
Since the Premier League club doesn’t have immediate access to the necessary funds, considerable effort has been made to involve the government, with Ratcliffe previously stating that the project wouldn’t be viable without government backing.
While there is no clear answer on how much government funding will be allocated, the project has received verbal support from the city’s Mayor, Andy Burnham.
Commenting on the new partnership, Burnham said: “Greater Manchester has a strong claim to be the biggest footballing city-region on the planet. Few places come close to matching our heritage and the global impact of our clubs and our culture.
“The future of Old Trafford is the next chapter of that story, and we have a chance now to make sure it’s written properly.
“With this new partnership we have the expertise, the vision, and the passion to drive forward the regeneration of the Trafford Wharfside area, and deliver real benefits for the community, the fans, and for the economy across the North.”
