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I completely understand the reticence on some parts and despite the business plan yet to be finalised, I make no apologies about posting on here the fact there are plans afoot, I’m a lifelong supporter so I’m absolutely behind these plans and struggling with the wait to complete them.
Just to reiterate for anyone who missed my previous posts. I’m an hotelier, bar and restaurant owner here on Koh Phangan, my group of friends are all either owners of hospitality businesses or work in concept, design and construction for hotel and restaurant development companies around SE Asia. Amongst our group we also include sound technicians, festival promoters and DJs who have worked with many of the top UK artists. Together we have run hundreds of F&B businesses in the UK and Asia for large chains and as individuals. Many of them are ardent football fans too, so that’s the background.
During lockdowns we had more time together than usual, it’s not often we can meet all at the same time, unlike Boris we were allowed to meet for private gatherings. Of course the conversation was dominated about work and the future of our industry plus a few other subjects I can’t mention… One question asked which got us all thinking was if, god forbid, we all had to return to the UK, what business in our sector would be successful. The absolute conclusion was a multifaceted operation, flexible but with a clear modern concept and statement of intent. The demand for traceable, sustainably sourced and high quality products cannot be ignored, providing an experience is also key, tomorrow’s world is quality over quantity and that probably includes the travel industry too.
It’s clear that craft beers, wine and cocktails lead the way in the drinks sector, diners demand locally sourced produce with a provenance. Café culture, co-work, 5G with intimate space for daytime whilst the future of live entertainment maybe still in some flux, smaller specialist venues where artists and guests enjoy the maximum experience will win out. Many older, traditional venues are now probably obsolete with recent developments far too difficult or costly to adapt for new regulations and customer confidence.
It was my fault in mentioning our clubs….issues. Shortly after I had finally explained the entire saga, plans from the New Hotel End project came to light and the subsequent noises from the club and council regarding this piece of land “deemed for community use” interested many of the group. Armed with a lockdown project many of the group pulled figures from some of their successful projects, concepts and businesses. Research, development, P&L, yield percentages, staffing costs, supplier arrangements, product demand graphs, charts. These all from established recognisable High Street chains and private enterprises. No stone unturned.
The ability to combine several of these businesses under one roof and in a prominent location without restrictions on access and proximity cannot be underestimated. Through a haphazard and complicated situation with legal wranglings clouding the way, the football club, club owners and the council may just have sleepwalked and stumbled into an amazing opportunity, unique to Sixfields.
From the initial but unviable NHE project, to the continuing finalisation of the east stand plans, the announcement from the club over the north stand to the recent review on club governance, supported by KT, it appears as we advance further along the corridor instead of resistance we find the doors are being flung wide open to financial innovation within football. The current model of football club ownership does not work and we know it. A football club of our size cannot exist on an individual’s generosity and prosper.
We have the unique opportunity to create a first in bringing the community and local football club truly together. This piece of community designated land should be used for exactly that, a proud and prominent structure which benefits the local community year round first and foremost, we already have an excellent partnership with the university which we hope this will expand and develop to provide opportunities for students both commercially and for leisure.
You will never sell or excite with mediocrity and I’m absolutely convinced that when these plans are complete they will be impossible to ignore and sufficient “community investors” will be found to launch the project.
If, the biggest word in the universe, this comes off, the football club owners would have any revenue generated from the 2000 extra seats for whatever they wish to do with. The profits generated from within the venue will go directly to the football team and academy for development from grass roots to first team and would receive significant regular and guaranteed investment, irrespective of who owns the football club. I personally think we have a dream local team at the helm and given considerable funds to play with, our success on the pitch will notch up a level or two. The council would benefit too from local taxes, business rates and so on, but the local community would be the greatest beneficiaries with a superb welcoming community facility, through job creation and from money available for local projects.
As one or two here are sceptical on land ownership, dealing with lease holders etc, I will just say that between us we have all successfully negotiated complicated large developments on leased land here in Asia with the extra barriers to culture, language and financial exchange mechanisms but the bottom line always wins out.
It may take just a little longer than I first expected and unfortunately it seems I will not have the time to fly back as planned next month, however we are confident we can attract a recognisable name or two to support the projects release and I’m certainly not to be put in front of the media so definitely worth waiting a few more weeks for!
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