New stadiums can generate vast financial returns for a football club, but what positive impact are they having on the local community? There is limited hard evidence about the actual economic benefits of stadium-led regeneration.
The Premier League recently announced the value of its TV rights had risen by 70%, but just a few clubs have committed to paying its employees the Living Wage. See today’s announcement from West Ham United F.C below.
Only 10% of survey respondents thought that existing residents living near a stadium would gain ‘a lot’ of benefits from a new stadium.[2]
A number of high profile stadium-led developments have been proposed in London, including plans from Tottenham Hotspur F.C, Queens Park Rangers F.C and Brentford F.C, so how can we ensure these developments are successful for their host communities? The London Assembly Regeneration Committee has published ‘The Regeneration Game’, a report that looks into the impact of stadium-led regeneration on clubs and those living and working in the local area. Gareth Bacon AM, Chairman of the Regeneration Committee, said: “The bright lights and multi-billion pound TV and sponsorship deals keep the world’s eyes firmly glued to the football world. But what is going on closer to home, just outside new stadium gates, in terms of the impact on the local community? Football stadia can act as a catalyst for regeneration and improve an area, but developers and clubs need to ensure they give something back to the communities they’re affecting, especially given the vast costs involved. When the public purse is used to support such large scale schemes, we need to make sure that local people don’t miss out when it comes to jobs, skills and housing.” The report makes a number of recommendations, including:
The Mayor should incorporate a Charter for successful stadium-led regeneration to strengthen the London Plan. Football clubs and relevant local authorities should commit to supporting the Mayor’s housing targets and paying stadium employees the London Living Wage.
The Mayor should lobby the Government to amend planning guidance, so that stadium applications are automatically treated as strategic developments, which are referred to the Mayor.
The Mayor should make clear what claw back arrangements, if any, have been made with West Ham United F.C occupying the publicly-funded Olympic Stadium, should the club be sold in future.
The Regeneration Committee welcomes the announcement from West Ham United F.C that they will be paying the London Living Wage from the summer onwards. Karren Brady, West Ham United F.C Vice-Chairman, said: “Paying the London Living Wage is something we care passionately about as we want to ensure all of our hardworking staff are suitably rewarded for their commitment to the Club. Therefore, I can confirm that from 1 June 2015, all permanent full-time and part-time staff will be paid the London Living Wage.” Notes for Editors:
‘The Regeneration Game’ report (attached below).
Chelsea F.C is currently the only English professional football club to be accredited as a Living Wage employer. Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham have committed to paying permanent staff the London Living Wage.
Talk London Survey (carried out by the Regeneration Committee), sample size 140, Sep-Oct 2014.
Gareth Bacon AM, Chairman of the Regeneration Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.