Southampton Plans For A Fan Zone At St Mary's
The Club said it would improve the experience of fans on matchdays and could also be used to show other events such as the Euro’s and Olympics.
With their agents highlighting the need through the expectations of the club’s supporters, stating “Many of the club's supporters lobby the club to provide spectator facilities for other sporting and entertainment events at the club, as such venues encourage fans to gather and enjoy the sporting spectacles across a number of yearly events.”
Under the plans submitted to Southampton City Council, a stage, food and drink concessions and a new 4G playing area would be installed behind the Chapel Stand, while a third area would be created behind the Kingsland Stand. There would be a total of 15 food and beverage stalls, as well as retail stalls and new toilets.
On-site car parking spaces at the stadium would be reduced, with 106 standard car parking spaces and 30 disabled spaces, down from 237 and 57, respectively. The cycle storage would also be relocated and reduced from 157 spaces to 66, although the Club has said it will install more if demand increases.
The planning agent's letter said: “This move is to ensure that those with the greatest need to use the private car to access the stadium are prioritised and that further encouragement is given to all other users to use other forms of public transport, walk or cycle to the stadium.” This will assist Southampton’s vision to be a much more sustainable stadium.
Images Credit: Southampton Football Club
