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Edgbaston targets more events after unveiling vast new plaza

Edgbaston Stadium is looking at a range of new hosting opportunities after unveiling its vast new Plaza.

The 14,800 sq m community space is the first stage to complete within the new Edgbaston Stadium Masterplan, with the arena’s new stadium entrance also now open.

As the Edgbaston Plaza offers more space than both Centenary Square and Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre, Edgbaston officials said they can now look to bring more events to the stadium.

The development of the Edgbaston Plaza has seen the previous brick walls along Edgbaston Road, and the building within the former car park, demolished to open up access and views to the stadium. There are new disabled parking bays and charging points for electric vehicles through Edgbaston Stadium’s official energy partner, Drax, which will be installed shortly. The project has also seen the relocation of 229 car parking spaces to behind the stadium’s Birmingham End.

Craig Flindall, chief operating officer at Edgbaston, said: “We’re very excited about what will follow today’s opening of the Edgbaston Plaza. Cricket remains central to our offer, but conversations are already underway about several other events that could be staged here in the summer and autumn, whilst the new retail opportunities could transform the local food and drink experience.

“We hope to announce further information on our masterplan in the coming months.”

Plans for the development of Edgbaston were initially revealed in August 2017, with a price tag at the time of £85m. All works are expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. The masterplan also includes PATRIZIA’s development of 375 build-to-rent apartments and units for a new retail and leisure destination.

The Edgbaston Plaza and PATRIZIA’s Edgbaston scheme have been constructed by Winvic Construction Ltd. The Plaza has been unveiled ahead of a summer that includes England’s men’s LV= Insurance Test match and Vitality T20 International versus India, Vitality Blast Finals Day, the eight-day women’s T20 programme in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and The Hundred and domestic programme of Warwickshire games.

Mark Jones, director for multi-room at Winvic said: “We’re delighted to have achieved completion of the Edgbaston Plaza on time, in readiness for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and other key cricket fixtures this summer.

“I’d like to thank the team for their hard work over the past year to meet this important project milestone, exceeding our client’s expectations along the way. Work continues on site constructing the adjacent 375-bed built-to-rent apartment scheme for PATRIZIA and we look forward to handing it over in summer 2023.”

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