Oxford United Development Director, Jonathan Clarke, today spoke within the Oxford Mail regarding the Club's new and exciting stadium project.
A full transcript of Jonathan's first-person report can be found below.
A large team continues to work extensively behind the scenes towards our goal of delivering an exceptional new stadium that is market-leading not just in Oxford, but globally.
Our vision is to create a sustainable sports, entertainment and lifestyle destination north of Oxford that’s locally loved and internationally recognised.
The stadium will set the benchmark for community benefit, environmental performance, commercial innovation and put the visitor experience at the heart of everything it does.
Although we have submitted our full planning application for a 16,000-capacity stadium, with a 180-bedroom hotel and 1,000 capacity conferencing and exhibition centre, work continues apace on the development.
We have a fantastic, multidisciplinary team of market leading experts who are working on progressing multiple elements of the plans. This includes constantly looking at best practice to refine the details, to ensure this once in a lifetime opportunity to create a world-class destination is maximised.
Recently we visited AO Arena, Co-op Live and The Point at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, as part of our market research not just into stadiums, but visitor focused venues.
Both the AO Arena and Co-op Live are developing strategies to ensure their venues cater to multiple events during usually quiet times; diversifying their offer outside of their traditional main events. The team at The Point explained how they are maximising space flexibility and have integrated the management of their events and hotel spaces to create a joined-up venue so visitors can enjoy a seamless experience.
We have also visited numerous football stadiums, including Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion, to learn more about how they cater to supporters, as well as the work they do on the community side.
The insights we gain from talking to the teams at each venue are invaluable, especially on elements such as making sure the stadium can operate successfully 365 days a year and ensure the visitor experience is exceptional.
The stadium will be more than the home of Oxford United. That’s why we are placing a big emphasis on the visitor experience, accessibility for all, the community impact and sustainability both environmentally and economically. We’re challenging our architects and project team to make sure every element of the design pushes the boundaries.
We recently appointed 20.20, a renowned creative agency, to brand the stadium, and develop a proposition that puts the visitor and matchday experience at the heart of the venue. They have worked for top clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
This is the level we are aspiring to and with the team we have in place we have the experience and expertise to deliver a stadium everyone will be proud of.
It is well known that the stadium is critical for the football club. But it’s also important for the wider Oxfordshire community and beyond. The stadium would be transformative for the region, benefiting many people way beyond the Club.
The economic benefits will be significant, with almost 1,000 jobs created generating circa £32 million for the local economy annually. It would also provide the largest purpose-built conferencing space, something the county lacks to host national and international events.
The venue will be a game-changer for what the Club can do for the community, with the space to deliver a community plaza and wellness gardens, increased education and wellbeing programmes and provide fitness and other flexible facilities for all.
Alongside refining the details of our plans we are also continuing to work closely with key stakeholders locally, addressing queries and providing additional information as and when required, as part of the planning process.
We’re also committed to creating the most environmentally sustainable mid-sized stadium in the UK. The site is in a fantastic location, right next to Oxford Parkway rail station and close to Park & Ride sites, allowing us to maximise sustainable and active travel and be at the heart of our community.
It would give so much back locally, regionally and nationally and we’re working to ensure the vision becomes a reality.
