Scottish Premiership football club Celtic has been granted planning permission to build a new hotel, museum and other facilities near its Celtic Park stadium.
The Glasgow-based club said the application is part of its long-standing “masterplan” for the area, but stressed that considerable work and investment would be needed in the coming years before the project comes to fruition.
The plans, which were announced back in February, also include a new ticket office and retail store.
The hotel would be based on London Road, near the main stand at Celtic Park and across the road from the multi-purpose Emirates Arena.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “We are very pleased that initial planning permission has been granted. Clearly, there is still considerable work to be done in bringing such an ambitious project to fruition. However, we will now engage with other relevant parties to assess this potential development.”
In a statement to the council reported by the Daily Mirror newspaper, Celtic said: “The history of the football club and its worldwide support mean that Celtic Park regularly attracts visitors out (of) match days with stadium tours, the club shop and ticket office.
“Provision of a club museum and improved shop/ticketing facilities as proposed will greatly enhance the visitor experience and will help to sustain jobs and economic activity throughout the year. The provision of a hotel along with the club facilities will increase the attractiveness of the location as a tourist destination with spin off benefits to the entire area.”
The statement added: “The proposed development will result in the creation of much-needed new employment opportunities associated with the hotel and museum.
“The current lack of hotel accommodation in the vicinity means that everyone attending events at the football stadium or the arena requires to travel on the day of the event adding to traffic volumes in the surrounding area.
“By locating the proposed hotel immediately beside the stadium and arena pressure on the local transport network will be reduced, particularly at times of peak movement. Experience elsewhere also demonstrates that hotel restaurant and cafe/bar facilities adjoining a football stadium can help to spread the timing of trips over a greater time period avoiding peak periods.”
IMAGES: Celtic FC
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