26/04/2012 08:53 AM
Brighton and Hove Albion FC has had plans to expand its Amex Stadium approved by the city council.
The club is aiming to increase the capacity of its ground to 30,750 in two phases, with work on the first part of the development due to be complete in time for the new season in August. The initial expansion will see the addition of an extra 5,000 seats to the Amex ready for the first kick of the next Championship campaign and then another 500 will be installed by December.
Work will be fully completed in 2013 when the ground will reach its full capacity. Brighton only moved to the Amex at the beginning of the 2011/12 season after being without a permanent home since its Goldstone Ground was sold to developers in 1997. The Championship outfit had been playing their games at the makeshift Withdean Stadium, which also doubled up as an athletics track, since the move.
However, due to a relatively successful season, with the newly-promoted side set for a top-half finish, attendances have regularly topped 20,000 and with demand for season tickets rising the club felt an expansion was necessary.
Executive director Martin Perry said: "This is a huge win for the Albion but it is a huge win for the city as well. When the work is complete, over 8,000 more supporters will be able to come and support the team and it will deliver another 430 jobs, including 200 during the construction phase, and £7 million into the local economy."
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC chief executive Jez Moxey has confirmed that the expansion of the team's Molineux ground is set to continue despite the club being relegated from the Premiership on Sunday (April 22nd). Wolves had embarked on an £18 million renovation of the Stan Cullis Stand which is due to be completed despite the demotion but the second phase of the £40 million development is currently on hold.
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The club is aiming to increase the capacity of its ground to 30,750 in two phases, with work on the first part of the development due to be complete in time for the new season in August. The initial expansion will see the addition of an extra 5,000 seats to the Amex ready for the first kick of the next Championship campaign and then another 500 will be installed by December.
Work will be fully completed in 2013 when the ground will reach its full capacity. Brighton only moved to the Amex at the beginning of the 2011/12 season after being without a permanent home since its Goldstone Ground was sold to developers in 1997. The Championship outfit had been playing their games at the makeshift Withdean Stadium, which also doubled up as an athletics track, since the move.
However, due to a relatively successful season, with the newly-promoted side set for a top-half finish, attendances have regularly topped 20,000 and with demand for season tickets rising the club felt an expansion was necessary.
Executive director Martin Perry said: "This is a huge win for the Albion but it is a huge win for the city as well. When the work is complete, over 8,000 more supporters will be able to come and support the team and it will deliver another 430 jobs, including 200 during the construction phase, and £7 million into the local economy."
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC chief executive Jez Moxey has confirmed that the expansion of the team's Molineux ground is set to continue despite the club being relegated from the Premiership on Sunday (April 22nd). Wolves had embarked on an £18 million renovation of the Stan Cullis Stand which is due to be completed despite the demotion but the second phase of the £40 million development is currently on hold.
Contact us for a security fencing quote.
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