‘Exciting proposals’ for future of stadium to go out for consultation
LAND NEXT TO EAST STAND PRIME AREA FOR REDEVELOPMENT
LEICESTER City have announced plans to expand the King Power Stadium to 40,000 seats as part of a significant redevelopment of their home ground.
City are proposing to add 8,000 seats to the East Stand as they press ahead with long-held intentions to increase the King Power Stadium’s capacity.
The project is not limited to the stadium itself and the club are also looking to build an indoor arena and a 220-room hotel on the site as part of their project to make the ground and surrounding area a “365-day destination”.
Details of the stadium expansion and site redevelopment will be shared later this month, when the club enters public consultation over their plans.
The announcement kicks off the next phase of the stadium expansion plans, which have been harboured for some time by King Power. Focus on building the £100 million training ground at Seagrave and the impact of the pandemic slowed progress on the stadium, but City are now moving forward to the next stage.
The building of a hotel and a “multi-purpose event and entertainment arena” are newly-revealed details of City’s plans, which do not stop there, with a residential tower, a multi-storey car park, a megastore and club and commercial office space also on the agenda.
Much of the new infrastructure is expected to be built on the land behind the East Stand, with the club having recently bought the E.ON building on the corner of Raw Dykes Road and Aylestone Road.
Two years ago, City conducted market research for their plans and sent out questionnaires to season ticket-holders, and supporters will again be involved in public consultations taking place from next month and through into the autumn, alongside businesses and residents.
In a statement, City chairman Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha said: “The unveiling of these plans represents a significant milestone in the long history of Leicester City Football Club, and one that we hope will continue to put our supporters and our community at the heart of its long-term future.
“Through the consultation with our fans, our community, businesses and stakeholders, we hope to achieve something that we can all be proud of for years to come.
“It’s these conversations that will help us communicate our vision to the people at its heart and take on board the views of our community to help shape it.
“While this vision is in its early stages, I know the prospect of additional capacity for more Leicester City supporters in King Power Stadium, has long been anticipated by us all, particularly after seven near sold-out Premier League seasons.
“The plans to build on the club’s recent growth – with a stadium expansion as part of an exciting wider site development – is a wonderful demonstration of the shared ambition of both the football club and the city of Leicester.
“It is a project with the potential to generate enormous social value, starting with a substantial number of additional jobs. We will be working with our partners and contractors to ensure this is a central consideration from construction through to long-term operation.”
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “These are ambitious plans that reflect the club’s ongoing commitment to the city and constant desire to build on its incredible achievements.
“LCFC has always been at the heart of our city, but thanks to the vision of the greatly-missed Khun Vichai, and his son Khun Top, it is now an integral part of our community that contributes to city life in so many ways.
“There is obviously a great deal of consultation to be done, including through the planning process, but these are really exciting proposals.
“The development would be very good news for the city as well as for the club, creating new jobs and a sought-after destination for visitors, locals and tourists.”