Liverpool put off Anfield Road end redevelopment by 12 months
According to The Athletic, Liverpool have put off plans to redevelop the Anfield Road End by 12 months. The decision to delay the £60million project is because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The revised target to complete the project, which will take Anfield’s capacity to 61,000 is the summer of 2023 having been initially pencilled in to be finished in 2022.
This will make Anfield the third biggest stadium in England in terms of capacity, with only Old Trafford and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium above on the list. (h/t Statista)
Speaking on the issue, Liverpool’s chief operating officer Andy Hughes revealed that the club has been facing a number of delays owing to the current lockdown.
The outbreak has severely affected the operation of the construction, procurement, and public sectors, forcing the club to pause the project for at least 12 months. The project is set to last 18 months and needs two clear summers to be completed.
“Given the planning application is no longer time-critical, it is our intention to submit our planning application at some stage during the next 12 months.
Liverpool will use this period to review and consider their options. Further decisions are likely to be taken as the situation improves.
“Our priority remains on the health and wellbeing of our people, the local community and supporters at this challenging time. Our thoughts are with all those affected by Covid-19.”
Key infrastructural developments on hold!
Work at Liverpool’s new training facility at Kirkby had been suspended temporarily since March following the coronavirus pandemic.
The staff and players were due to move into the state of the art new £50million facility this summer. The move was supposed to see the Reds say goodbye to their historical base at Melwood.
Liverpool will not be left without a base of operations due to the delay in work. The club is free to make use of the facilities at Melwood and have the property for their liking as long as they want.
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The crisis has led to Liverpool delaying two important infrastructural developments that can affect the club long term. Hopefully, the situation will improve and we go back to leading our normal lives at the earliest.
