New Stadium Article

From the Telegraph on-line . . . . .


Tottenham Hotspur look at new stadium site with premium seat deals costing up to £53,000
Tottenham hope to fund a potential new stadium development at Northumberland Park in Haringey by asking supporters to pay upfront for premium seat packages costing as much as £53,000 over 10 years.

By Paul Kelso

The club wrote to supporters on Tuesday asking them to take part in a survey designed to determine the level of demand for premium packages including food and parking options.

The survey indicates that the club is pursuing the Northumberland Park development adjacent to White Hart Lane in parallel with its legal challenge to the loss of the Olympic Stadium bid to West Ham.

It also reveals the club’s strategy for paying for a stadium development that as recently as January was described as unaffordable by chairman Daniel Levy.

The survey offers 39 different seating and hospitality packages in a tier of premium seating that appears similar to the Club Wembley middle tier at the national stadium that effectively bankrolls the ground through the sale of 10-year packages.

Spurs appear to be adopting a similar model, asking supporters to pay as much as half of the fees upfront to help repay loans incurred in stadium construction.

In the survey the club state: “Tottenham Hotspur is considering long-term premium seat contracts with an option to split the total cost into an upfront annual fee.

“The club is considering this method as it would allow the cost of the stadium to be repaid quickly, hence reducing the debt the club would have once the stadium is open. This will allow the club to continue investing in the playing squad and to avoid a risky level of debt.”

The packages suggested for supporters to give their opinions on include a series of transport options, emphasising the transport challenge of expanding capacity in the present site. They range from a dedicated shuttle bus from a tube station, off-street parking or in-stadium parking.

A five-year contract for a halfway-line seat with four course meals from a “signature chef” and a shuttle bus service to the tube or railway is offered at £2,350 per season, with £5,500 paid upfront.

The same seat with parking nearby and food from a “first-come first-served VIP buffet” over 10 years will cost £26,810 plus £2,680 per season.

“We expect the stadium to sell out, given the strong demand, hence if implemented, this long-term contract will be the only way you will secure a seat for every match other than a season ticket,” the club say.

The letter to supporters was sent as the Olympic Park Legacy Company announced it has appointed an auditor to investigate its procedures following the suspension of director Dionnne Knight for undertaking £20,000 of consultancy work for West Ham.

“The auditors Moore Stephens have been appointed to carry out this investigation into our procedures. They have put together a team led by their specialist forensic unit,” the OPLC said in a statement.

“We are also investigating the nature of the consultancy work that Dionne Knight undertook without our knowledge or permission. An independent barrister will be instructed to conduct the employment elements of this investigation.

“We will communicate the outcome of both investigations when the work is complete. We remain confident that the integrity of our processes has not been compromised.”

I was sent an e mail asking for my participation and the link didn't work so I e mailed back. So far no reply.