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Plans revealed for new Emirates Old Trafford stand

Lancashire Cricket Club has announced plans for a new 4,850-seat stand in a move that would make Emirates Old Trafford the largest cricket ground outside of London.

The stand will replace the existing Red Rose Suite and will feature a pitch-view suite, along with enhanced members facilities, a heritage centre, ticket office and retail shop.

With the expansion, the capacity of Emirates Old Trafford will increase to 26,700. Lancashire’s plans also include an extension of the existing Hilton Garden Inn, with the club citing the “huge continued success” since the hotel opened two years ago.

The plans have been created alongside CHROMA Consulting, BDP, Marston and Grundy, BDP, Planit-IE, Virtual Planit, Gardiner & Theobald and Paul Butler Associates.

Lancashire Cricket chairman David Hodgkiss OBE said: “The new stand, which will replace the Red Rose Suite, will complete the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford which is now an award-winning, world class and all-encompassing stadium.

“Lancashire Cricket Club is committed to ensuring Emirates Old Trafford is one of the best places in the world to watch and play cricket, both at a domestic and international level and the new stand, which includes a pitch-view suite, will further enhance the facilities for Lancashire Members. It will transform that area of the ground and will make Emirates Old Trafford one of the largest cricket stadiums in the country.”

Emirates Old Trafford was a host venue during the summer’s Cricket World Cup and Ashes Series. Pending planning permission, work on the new stand will begin this time next year ahead of completion in time for the 2022 cricket season.

Lancashire’s announcement coincides with Trafford Council’s announcement to move forward with plans to transform the area around Manchester’s Town Hall and surrounding buildings into a new ‘Civic Quarter’.

The masterplan covers a 120-acre site comprising the Town Hall, Lancashire Cricket Club, the former Kellogg’s site and the recently-opened University Academy 92 campus. Proposals for the regeneration include a new leisure centre, an improved public realm and opportunities for new homes and offices, as well as improved cycle and pedestrian routes.

Plans also include the potential development of a new public piazza and ‘professional route’ that would link the cricket club with Old Trafford, home of Premier League club Manchester United.

In April, Lancashire Cricket posted an operating profit for 2018 of £2.387m (€2.8m/$3.1m), a slight increase year-on-year. The club said the shortfall in revenues from not hosting a Test match last year were offset by the benefit of the Hilton Garden Inn’s first full year of trading.

The latest announcement forms part of the wide-ranging £60m redevelopment at Emirates Old Trafford that has been taking place in recent years.

Image: Lancashire Cricket