March 2010

Bristol City Football Club has released the following statement in the wake of Sainbury's planning application submission.

A club spokesman said: "The submission of the Sainsbury's planning applications is another major milestone towards the new regional stadium. We have been working very hard with Sainsbury's to ensure there is a constructive dialogue with the local community and are heartened by the positive comments received about the new proposals, which many people clearly believe are a vast improvement on the earlier scheme.

"Realising the full value of Ashton Gate remains vital as far as the new stadium is concerned. These plans are an important part of the enabling development that is critical if the club is not to be burdened with debt in delivering the new stadium.

"Taken together, the development of both the new and the existing foodstore sites will be a major boost to the area delivering new employment, workspace and residential units. It is also an opportunity to inject much needed investment - and thus jobs - into the local economy.

"As well as being a new home for Bristol City Football Club, the stadium will also be a new regional stadium for the whole of Bristol and the wider region, offering Bristol's biggest conference venue and the South West's biggest stadium concert venue.

"Bristol City Council planners have already voted to approve plans for the new regional stadium. These plans for the enabling development will provide for an exciting future for South Bristol and the city as a whole."

October 2009

Bristol City Football Club has signed an agreement with Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd in a move that brings a major boost to plans to build a new regional stadium for Bristol.

The agreement provides the club with vital funds for the new stadium subject to Sainsbury's achieving planning permission for a new store at Ashton Gate that will replace its store at Winterstoke Road.

Commenting on the agreement, City chief executive Colin Sexstone told bcfc.co.uk: "This is a win-win for the local community, for the club, as well as for Bristol as a whole. We believe that the agreement with Sainsbury's is in the best interests of both the surrounding community and the club.

"This is a huge step forward in the Club's plans. Moving Sainsbury's across Winterstoke Road will help generate sufficient funds to build the new stadium. Sainsbury's current site offers exciting opportunities for redevelopment.

"We have been listening hard and will now be consulting again with all interested parties. It is imperative that we get this right and we want to work with the community to achieve this. If Bristol is to benefit from a new stadium it is essential that we get best value for the existing site, and the Board are unanimous that the agreement with Sainsbury's delivers this."

Jamie Baker, Sainsbury's regional development executive, told bcfc.co.uk: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work with the club to improve our store and contribute to significant regeneration of a community we've been part of for almost 20 years.

"We are continually looking at how we can improve our customers' experience of shopping with us. Although any development isn't likely to happen until 2013, relocating our existing store across the road to Ashton Gate will mean a new store with better facilities and product range, the existing site will be made available for redevelopment and it will help to provide Bristol with a state-of-the-art stadium.

"We take our role in the community very seriously and value the views of those who live and work near our stores. During the next few months we'll be working on the details of the proposals in consultation with the community, our customers and the local authority. We look forward to sharing our ideas and I encourage people to take part in the consultation to let us know their views."

The current planning application for the foodstore on Ashton Gate will now be withdrawn.

During the next few months Sainsbury's and the club will be working with the local community as the grocer draws up plans to relocate to a larger store and re-develop the existing site.

This agreement gives a further boost to the new stadium plans which have already been recommended for approval by Bristol City Council officers. The plans are due to go to Bristol City Council Development Control Committee on 4th November. Construction tenders have recently been issued and having Sainsbury's on board means that the club will start the 2012/13 season at its new home, subject to a positive planning decision.

Follow Bristol City through Twitter and receives 'tweet' updates direct from the club. Log-on to twitter.com/bcfctweets now.