Bristol Rovers has signed contracts with Sainsbury’s and University of the West of England, Bristol, to develop its new £40m stadium.
The League Two football club will sell its current home, Memorial Stadium, to the supermarket, and use the proceeds to fund a new 20,000-seat stadium at UWE’s Frenchay campus.
Bristol Rovers will submit plans for the stadium, as well as a flagship club store and gym, to South Gloucestershire council in Q1 2012.
Sainsbury’s will submit proposals for a store, offices and a car park at the Memorial Stadium site to Bristol city council.
Nick Higgs, chairman of Bristol Rovers, said: “This agreement is a significant step in securing a sustainable future for the club.”
Professor Steve West, vice-chancellor at UWE, said: “At a time when belts are tightening it is good to see this ambition being realised with the investment and growth flowing into the region.”
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
