Major plan to redevelop St Mary's Waterfront area of Southampton
It could include the expansion of Saints' stadium
Major plans have been unveiled which could see the expansion of Southampton's St Mary's stadium.
The Football Club and the city council have teamed up to help make the redevelopment of the area a reality.
In a joint statement, the club and council are pledging to work together to transform St Mary's Waterfront and the Itchen Riverside.
Any future development would see improved transport links alongside shops and restaurants.
The aim is to make St Mary's stadium a key entertainment destination for the south coast.
Southampton FC and the City Council will now also collaborate on things like transport improvements, and overall community engagement too.
Phil Parsons, CEO of Saints said:
“This Memorandum of Understanding is a crucial step in ensuring the future success of both Southampton Football Club and the city of Southampton.
“For the club to thrive and survive in the Premier League, we must increase our revenue streams, and developing the St Mary’s Waterfront area is central to achieving that. In turn, a successful football club at the highest level brings enormous benefits to the city, including increased tourism, investment, and civic pride.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Council for their proactive and committed approach to this partnership. Their vision for developing the area and improving the city aligns perfectly with our ambition to establish Southampton as a leading destination for sport, leisure, and entertainment.”
Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council said:
“This is an exciting first step in bringing forward a unified vision for Southampton’s future. We are working with our partners and key stakeholders across the city to deliver on our aspirations and are delighted to be working with Southampton FC to support what for many people represents the pride of the city.”
Both parties say the scheme is part of the broader Southampton Renaissance strategy, which seeks to attract investment and boost the local economy.