Pompey plan Tesco deal

Pompey have signed a deal with Tesco for a supermarket next to Fratton Park.
Fratton ParkFratton Park
Fratton Park

The club says the 5,500 sq metre development, which needs council approval, would enable it to make ‘significant improvements’ for fans.

Pompey say among the immediate benefits would be car and coach parking on land adjacent to the North Stand, via Anson Road, a dedicated media area for TV vehicles and journalists, new pedestrian access to the club via Fratton Way and Anson Road and improved facilities for disabled fans

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The proposals were outlined to Portsmouth City Council yesterday by Pompey, development company Point Estates, and Tesco, which says the new supermarket would create 300 jobs.

Pompey say club directors and Point Estates, the company of the club’s strategic property partner Stuart Robinson, have been working in partnership for several months on a planning application that would see significant improvements to the facilities at the club.

A club spokesman said: ‘The stadium enhancements include the provision of a dedicated car park (which the club does not have at present) together with a new food court and supporters’ amenity area.

‘The financing and provision of these improvement works will be secured from a capital sum to the club which will be funded through Point Estates securing planning permission to develop a new Tesco supermarket and petrol station on the land which it owns adjacent to the club. The new Tesco store would create in the region of 300 new jobs.

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Stuart Robinson of Point Estates said: ‘We have been working on these plans for a number of months in partnership with the football club and were delighted to set them out to the Council yesterday. Our discussions with the Club have allowed us to find out how we can help them develop and improve the club and its facilities. Investment in the club is a key expectation of the Council from developments in this area of the city.

‘The delivery of a new quality supermarket operated by Tesco, the creation of jobs and significant improvements to the club make this, we believe, a win-win situation. I’d invite anyone interested in this proposal to come along and have a look at the plans and let us know what they think.’

Pompey chairman Iain McInnes said: ‘We welcome these plans and hope they will be supported by the council and local community.

‘They represent a significant investment, not only in the Club’s infrastructure, helping us meet our operational requirements before the new Season, but more importantly provide funding towards delivering our future vision of the club. Following on from the great news from the High Court this is a fantastic boost to the club, its supporters and players. We wish the project every success.

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‘We are fully behind this scheme. If the development gets planning consent the club will receive substantial financial investment.

‘In the short-term, some of that money will enable us to address a back-log of legacy planned maintenance and safety issues with Fratton Park, to ensure it is fully operational next season. 

‘We are also looking at some other improvements to make the match-day experience inside and outside the ground much better, particularly providing more comfortable and befitting facilities for disabled supporters.

‘The majority of the money we receive however will be put into a ring-fenced account to be used to help kick-start our fund for improvements to the stadium. The club is well aware of the need to improve the Stadium’s facilities if we are to fulfil our potential as a club.

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‘In the next 12 months we will separately be undertaking a feasibility study to explore ways we can finance a phased re-development of Fratton Park. This is a project of the highest priority for the Board and the fans. 

‘To achieve it will require realistic, measurable timescales, communicated effectively and aggressively pursued. The money we will receive from Point Estates will give us a solid platform for the short term improvements and to begin the search for other sources of funding to finally deliver the improved facilities our fans deserve.’

Point Estates said that before the plans are submitted they are holding pre-submission public consultation events next week. They are at the Victory Bar at Fratton Park on Friday July 5 (10.00am – 6.00pm) and on Saturday July 6 (10.00am- 3.00pm)