On Monday, 22 June, Greg Hands, Member of Parliament for Chelsea and Fulham, met with senior representatives from Chelsea Football Club to discuss their intentions for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge stadium.
As a major global city, London is unique in having such a high concentration of professional football clubs, and Greg is proud to be able to claim two highly successful teams in his constituency of Chelsea and Fulham. Accordingly, Greg was keen to find out what Chelsea F.C. is proposing in terms of its redevelopment of its Stamford Bridge site.
In his meeting with senior representatives of Chelsea F.C., Greg heard all about the 110-year history of the club and its Stamford Bridge home ground. Indeed, Greg was intrigued to discover that Chelsea F.C. is the only professional football team in London still to be playing on its original site. It is no surprise, therefore, that Greg is keen for Chelsea F.C. to remain at Stamford Bridge, and he was delighted when Chelsea’s representatives explained that the pitch itself will even be staying on the same spot.
In response to Chelsea F.C.’s proposals, Greg Hands says, “I am pleased to hear that Chelsea Football Club intends to stay in its 110-year-old home of Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, I am aware of the strong local economic impact that the Club makes – especially on match days, but also with the Club’s museum and shop – and I have received an assurance that the Club will do everything it can during its three-year hiatus to support the local economy, for example from on-site construction companies.
“I also understand that there may be strong local opposition to Chelsea F.C.’s proposals, but I have been assured that the Club is making every effort to work with local stakeholders such as the Friends of Brompton Cemetery, English Heritage, Royal Parks, the London Oratory School, and Stoll.”
Greg Hands says, “I find Chelsea Football Club’s initial proposals to be encouraging at this early stage. However, I look forward to hearing the opinion of local residents, especially in terms of the effects of the construction and the increase in capacity.”