Magpies to boost St James' Park

[kennethlindheim]

NEWCASTLE United today announced plans for a bold £300m three-phase development including a major conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments at St. James' Park that could trigger a 1,500 jobs bonanza.

And the Magpies are also pushing ahead with a move to expand the stadium to a minimum of 60,000 to maintain their place as one of Europe's leading clubs.

Funding for the Number 1 St. James' Park project will be completely independent of the football club's revenues.

The building of a major conference centre capable of holding top class events would be both the pinnacle of regeneration of the land around the stadium and a major attraction for the city.

New jobs, both in construction and ongoing hotel and leisure employment, would also be hugely welcome.

A planning application is in the process of being submitted for Phase One of the development, which would be the creation of a 140-bedroom hotel complex on the site of the old Magpie Supporters Club, land acquired by Newcastle United some time ago.

St. James' Park, already chosen as a football venue for the 2012 Olympic Games, is also set to become one of the most sought after addresses in Newcastle as the club also plans another hotel - to include "one of the very best names" in that field - to enhance the stadium and its surrounds.

Superior apartments will also be created in Phase Two of this development, to the rear of the Leazes End, and the new residents of Number 1 St. James' Park will be able to enjoy superb views of the Victorian splendour of the newly renovated Leazes Park and lake.

Arsenal's move to the Emirates Stadium and Manchester United's expansion work at Old Trafford have not gone unnoticed by Newcastle United, nor have plans by other Premiership rivals for stadium developments.

The Magpies are determined that St. James' Park will remain one of the largest grounds and a 60,000-seater capacity is a minimum target for a club backed by the most loyal and passionate supporters in the game.

The expansion work would come at the Gallowgate End, and the club also have plans to develop the land above St. James' Metro station.

Whilst the previously announced casino plans for that site still hinge on a Government decision, and the club has shown patience following their joint venture with MGM Grand, the pinnacle of the development would be a purpose-built conference centre which would make St. James' Park's Conference and Banqueting operation the largest in the north.

Added to that would be another "Finest Hotel" brand to meet the demand for a new luxury hotel category in the city and further luxury apartments.

All of the outlined plans are subject to approval from Newcastle City Council.

When completed, the whole development will significantly enhance the approach to St. James' Park from St. James' Boulevard and stand as a bold statement to mark the city council's regeneration vision.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "What we are proposing is something not just for the football club, but for the whole city and the people of Newcastle.

"Having a conference centre would enable Newcastle to attract top events in all fields, and the whole project will stand as a monument to the vibrant development of the city in the new millennium."

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What's the point when we can't even fill up the current stadium?