Green light for £9m Everton FC scheme
Everton Football Club's (EFC) plans for a £9m retail and administration development at its Goodison Park stadium has been given the green light.
Liverpool City Council has approved the Premier League club's proposals, which will have been drawn up by Formroom Architects for the Park End of the ground. Facilities will include a 900sq m (9,688sq ft) EFC retail shop; a museum; a café and a 'fan-focused hospitality lounge, as well as office space. The Addy Consultancy is also involved with the development.
Construction work is due to start by the end of the year and is to be completed in autumn 2011. Club partners Kitbag and Sodexho are funding the scheme. EFC chief executive officer Robert Elstone said: "This new scheme is totally self-funded by partners so there is no net cost to the Club. In fact, it is cash-positive from the start."
It follows last year's decision by the government to reject the club's joint plans with Tesco to develop a new stadium at Kirkby, despite Knowsley Council's backing.