Manchester City has submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council for the development of a ‘fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination’ at the Etihad Stadium.
Proposals include several connected all-weather facilities, fully integrated into the stadium, centred around an expanded North Stand with one larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier, increasing capacity to over 60,000.
Above the upper tier, a sky bar with views overlooking the pitch would be introduced, together with a stadium roof walk experience.
The designs also include a covered City Square fan zone, with capacity for 3,000 people and a wide variety of food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum, and a 400-bed hotel. There are also plans for workspace available for use by start-up and medium-sized organisations.
The club’s proposals represent over £300m investment into East Manchester through a major construction project that would take up to three years to complete, offering 2,600 jobs prioritised for people from Greater Manchester.
The news the conclusion of the Premier League football club’s consultation with fans and the local community that were invited to share their thoughts on designs and concepts. The club claim that the positive feedback received instigated the submission of the planning application.
Danny Wilson, Managing Director, Manchester City Operations, commented, “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium and are delighted to have now submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fans and the local community for their participation in our recent consultation, not only for completing the questionnaire but sharing their detailed comments and feedback with us, all of which has been carefully reviewed and considered.
“As with all club developments, ensuring our local community benefit is a key priority and we believe these proposals will deliver long-term economic and social opportunities, building on the regeneration work delivered in East Manchester by City Football Group since 2008.”
