A Tory leader has strongly criticised Salford Council's plans to buy a sports stadium in the midst of a recession. As reported in the Manchester Evening News , plans for Salford City FC to move to the AJ Bell Stadium have collapsed.
The League Two side had hoped to do a switch with Salford Red Devils rugby league side moving to the football club's Penisula Stadium on Moor Lane, Kersal. The football club, in a joint bid with Sale Sharks, who already play at AJ Bell, had made an offer for the Barton stadium. But now it has emerged Salford City Council is attempting to buy the stadium outright
The council currently owns half of the 12,000 capacity venue below Barton Bridge over the M60. The other half is owned by the city's biggest landowners, Peel. It would cost the council millions of pounds to acquire Peel's share.
READ MORE: Angry residents slam plans to build major new housing development on their doorstep
Councillor Robin Garrido, leader of Salford's Conservative Group said: "We will vigorously oppose the purchase of the other half of the stadium company by the council. We will push for the council's exisiting half to be sold. As a council we can't afford to buy it.
"People in this city are suffering hardship and if the council has money to spend it should be on supporting those who are struggling with the cost of living not a sports stadium which has a dubious track record regarding community use at best. To acquire full ownership of the stadium would cost millions - is that best use of taxpayers' money?"
Councillor Garrido added: "I spoke to the council's Chief Executive, and asked him if he could give me an assurance that the council was not plannning to buy the stadium. He said he could not. There have always been certain members of the ruling Labour group who wanted the council to own the stadium as they see it as a community asset - it's not. It is used by Sale Sharks, and Salford Red Devils rugby teams. The public can hire rooms, but I am not aware of any great community use."
A town hall source said: "The Labour group were not told of this either. Nothing has been discussed. It does not make sense. Many people still regret the day Salford Red Devils moved to the AJ Bell in order to get into the Super League. Redeveloping their old Willows ground in the heart of the city would have been a better option."
What do you think of the council's plans? Have your say in our comments below.
The development is a major blow to Salford City FC, who currently lie ninth in the table. They have progressed well from non-league football since being taken over by members of Manchester United's "Class of 92". but the switch to Barton was seen as essential in order to progress and to expand their small fan base.
One Salford City FC source said: "It is a case of having the rug pulled from under us. This has come out of the blue." Sharks will be able to continue playing at the AJ Bell as they have a 25-year-lease, regardless of who the owners are. Meanwhile, Salford Red Devils have their own ambitions to buy the stadium via the backing of a local businessman, Sebastian Gerrard.
The MEN understands Sallford City and Sale Sharks made an offer for the AJ Bell Stadium that met the asking price, and was accepted, but in the last fortnight the council informed them the deal was off. One source said: "Salford City FC have an email from the council in which they agree a price, finance package, and rate of interest regarding the sale of the stadium."
In a statement, Salford City FC said: "We would like to provide an update on our proposed move to the AJ Bell Stadium. As supporters are all aware we have been in talks with Salford City Council for 18 months to purchase the AJ Bell Stadium.
"However, we were informed in the last two weeks by Salford City Council that they will now purchase the stadium outright and that we wouldn’t be considered. Whilst this news came as a surprise to us, we will continue to monitor closely the progression of the purchase, but at this moment our immediate future is to remain at The Peninsula Stadium. There will be no further comment from the club."
A council spokesperson said: “The council and Coscos (stadium company) have been in extensive negotiations with partners about the sale of the stadium - but unfortunately we have not received a proposal which satisfies our aspirations for this great community asset. We are now looking at other future options.
"It is important to note that we have been liaising closely with executives at Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks who are fully briefed. We will provide further updates in the new year.”
Asked if they wished to comment on Councillor Garrido's criticism of the proposed purchase of the stadium the council declined to do so.
READ NEXT:
- Pregnant woman 'collapses' while hundreds of passengers wait EIGHT HOURS for plane to take off at Manchester Airport
- 'Stupid' teenager huffed balloons during high speed police chase then reversed into officer
- Much missed places we loved to eat in Manchester in the 1980s and 1990s
- Christmas 2022 TV guide for BBC, ITV and Channel 4 including Strictly, Call the Midwife and Doc Martin and what time they're on
- As Manchester Christmas Markets come to an end - what needs to change for 2023
