It’s not the time for separate ideas, the lads from the NHE need to work with the Trust we all need to join forces together for such a project. This plan is actually for a large licenced venue with a stand attached, not the other way around.
I’m absolutely serious about this but it would be a shame if I must return 6000 odd miles to push it. I can’t get back to the UK until next year but there’s no reason we couldn’t have a new community venue north stand in place and open for the 24/25 season.
Beds, I understand your desire for standing but the idea of rail standing on the upper tier will frighten the council and others. With this plan the lower tier will not have access to the upper tier they are separate entities, integrating the top tier with the concourse area for larger private events, non-football related only those who buy an upper ticket will have access. The existing lower tier would not be affected by this development and remain open throughout for the club to use as normal.
Once the exciting and captivating plans are complete (a smaller less attractive and less beneficial development will just not gain enough support) we need a prospectus for investors, a media campaign, launch and PR. When the ideas of this “Fans” stand gather media/social media attention it will fly. The Guardian are already poised to continue their story of Sixfields.
To be part of Cobblers history the first option is to “buy a seat” for £1500 (paid in 3 x £500 installments at set stages over 12 month period if preferred) You can buy as many seats as you wish for your family and everyone who buys a seat will have their name engraved in a plaque which will be part of the entrance façade. Other long term and sponsorship investor packages will be available.
This new north stand is in no way connected to the east stand development, an entirely separate fans, trust and public funded community project.
Key factors. No planning will be refused, the club and council cannot veto a development at a community venue supported and financed by the public.
All net revenue gained by this development after costs, wages etc will be used directly for club matters, to sponsor another Kion Etete or even purchase players. No monies will go directly to the club owners other than match day seat ticket revenue. All bar, restaurant, brewery sales, corporate sales and other revenue to be retained by venue management.
There is no other iconic entertainment venue in the area capable of staging large indoor events, the venue (during no football) will still have a licensed capacity of 2000 with the concourse and bar area offering a range of seating, standing and outside areas during normal use, it would be capable of hosting bands, seminars, meetings, plays, weddings a whole multitude of events. Sound or noise pollution not being an issue as with certain town centre venues, parking and access are also excellent, local residents not affected.
The venue would be open as any other licenced premises in the town and run as any broad based community pub an attractive place to visit with the eye catching brewery to one corner providing specialist premium products and full all day call order menu. A Derngate, Roadmender, King Billy, APH all rolled into one. The only difference would be climb the steps inside the venue and you would walk out onto the upper tier of the stand and glimpse the superb green grass below. (Attract new support?)
The design is a large welcoming versatile community space open every day, 365 days a year other than the obvious match day restrictions when it would open the doors to public again one hour after final whistle.
A full venue management team in place, bar staff, kitchen staff, cleaners, just as I employed when running a licenced premises myself.
We’ve seen locals save pubs, post offices you name it well I do believe there are 2000 or more locals and not so local supporters who would want to place their name to this proud and permanent new venue and stand.
I may need some help however so if anyone at The Trust or anyone on here has relevant experience, do you want to make it happen this time?
Top post Steve and certainly a plan I would support and be happy to donate to via the seat purchase idea.