September 24, (THEWILL) – A proposed regeneration plan for the area surrounding Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium might generate £7.3 billion annually for the British economy, according to a recent economic feasibility study.
The project, led by United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, includes options for either a £2 billion new 100,000-seat stadium or a redevelopment of the existing 74,000-capacity Old Trafford.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham supports the ambitions to redevelop the stadium alongside a mixed-use neighbourhood featuring apartment blocks, shopping centres, and new public transport stations. However, Burnham stated on Monday, that no public money would be allocated to the project, ruling out previous hints of government assistance for a “Wembley of the north”.
Global advisory firm Oxford Economics revealed that the regeneration project could create 92,000 new jobs, over 17,000 new homes, and attract an additional 1.8 million visitors annually to the area. Burnham described it as potentially “the biggest regeneration scheme I’ve ever seen in this country”, expressing hope for “the best football stadium in the world, which brings benefits to residents around it”.
Last week, United appointed renowned architects Foster + Partners to work on the plans. The club is now seeking input from fans on the redevelopment, with former United captain Gary Neville, part of an Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, encouraging supporters to participate in the consultation process.
The project aims to transform the area around Old Trafford into a thriving community hub while maintaining its status as a world-class football venue.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
