Fulham FC survival to bring Cottage revamp?
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
21/05/2008
Fulham Football Club’s great escape from relegation to the second tier of English football could have wider benefits than the obvious footballing ones.
Whites fans are looking forward to marquee games at Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge next season following a fantastic run of four wins out of the last five games to extend the club’s seven year stay in the Premiership. But the advantages of staying up could also bring less obvious benefits to Craven Cottage, local businesses, Bishops Park and the whole borough.
Experts estimate that Premiership survival is worth about £30million, before gate receipts and merchandising are taken into account, but survival could also act as a catalyst for much need improvements to Craven Cottage to finally get underway.
H&F Council’s planning committee granted permission in December 2007, subject to the signing of a 106 agreement, for work to complete the modernisation of the historic riverside venue into a stadium capable of holding 30,000 supporters.
The club can now add 4,522 seats to Craven Cottage in return for opening up the riverside walk to residents, except on match days; restoring the turnstiles to their former glory and providing £1million to help council plans to rejuvenate Bishop’s Park.
Cllr Nicholas Botterill, Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “Fulham FC deserved to retain their Premier League status with their brilliant run in and we are positive about the benefits that survival could now bring to the borough.”
Local residents and amenity groups were consulted on the plans late last year. The planning consent allows the capacity of the Riverside Stand to be increased by removing the executive boxes. The Riverside Stand could also be re-cladded and the first floor river-facing side extended to give more space in the existing corporate hospitality lounges. The corporate hospitality boxes at the back of the terraced area of the stand could also be removed to create more seats.
These plans, together with the removal of executive boxes in the Putney End Stand and some infilling of small areas around the stadium, could eventually increase the stadium’s capacity to 30,000. As yet, Fulham FC has not confirmed a date for works to begin.
