Featured image credit: Salford Red Devils
Salford City Council has completed the full takeover of Salford Community Stadium, stating approval of the decision helps to secure the future of rugby across the Greater Manchester city.
The key approval decision was taken today (Tuesday) following months of negotiations. It means that the Council will take over full ownership of the stadium and associated development plots of land, located in one of the five growth locations of Greater Manchester.
The deal will see the Council buy the remaining 50% of the Peel Group’s shares in Salford Community Stadium Limited – which is currently jointly owned by the two parties. The stadium is home to Super League rugby league club Salford Red Devils and Premiership rugby union team Sale Sharks, with the Council initially agreeing to take full ownership in February, stating that the move would allow it to deliver on the initial vision of a “community stadium for the city and its people”.
Completion of the deal today is at the heart of the city’s new Rugby Strategy and Sports and Leisure Strategy, which are currently being developed.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “It is a momentous and truly exciting day for the city. This landmark decision is the beginning of a new future for the stadium and the clubs that call it home. It helps to secure their future, in particular Salford Red Devils, but also the future of rugby across the city.
“Yes, rugby is at the heart of this decision, but there are so many more benefits that just make this decision a sensible one. It’s a decision also rooted in strategic redevelopment, regeneration, skills and work and job opportunities, health and well-being, community engagement and supporting grassroots sports.
“Through sole ownership we’ll be able to open up this area of the city for future redevelopment and regeneration of the adjacent development land plots. This will create new jobs, deliver social value and attract significant private sector investment, all of which will be vital for the city and local communities.
“We’ll be able to further support clubs from Salford Red Devils and Swinton Lions, right down to the hugely important grassroots clubs via the community pitches at the stadium and through our Rugby Strategy.”
The Red Devils and the Sharks have both played at the 12,000-capacity stadium since it opened in 2012. However, the future of the venue formerly known as AJ Bell Stadium has been shrouded in uncertainty from the time Peel Holdings announced it would sell its stake in the facility.
In December, it was announced that the Red Devils would remain at their home stadium for at least another year through the agreement of a 12-month extension to their tenancy deal.
The team’s previous tenancy arrangement at Salford Community Stadium expired on December 1, and prior to that the club hit out at what it claimed was Salford City Council “inaction” over the ownership of the venue, adding that the situation meant its future was in severe jeopardy.
Responding to today’s news, Salford Red Devils managing director, Paul King, said: “It’s great news that the Council have now taken the decision to fully acquire the Stadium. It’s been a long road to get to this point, and the decision is another step towards a sustainable and bright future for Salford Red Devils.
“We look forward to sitting down with the Council and Sale Sharks and agreeing a tenancy deal that works for us all and secures the long-term future of rugby league in our city.”
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