Unanimous Approval For Expansion Lancashire Cricket Club
Trafford council has given unanimous approval for major plans for a new stand and hotel expansion at Lancashire Cricket Club’s Emirates Old Trafford site.
The plans will considerably expand the capacity both of the cricket club and the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn Hotel.
The project includes plans for an expanded 1,025‑seater stand, a heritage centre, a guest services hub and a new retail store which will face directly on to Brian Statham Way.
The Red Rose Suite will be demolished and replaced with the new stand which will include enhanced pitch‑viewing facilities for Lancashire’s Members, comprising a dual‑aspect suite located within the spectator viewing terrace.
The expansion of the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel includes a new extension situated within the existing stadium footprint providing a further 100 bedrooms, taking the total hotel capacity to 250 rooms and increasing the venue’s events capacity by up to 200 additional guests for conferences and events.
It is expected that the hotel expansion will provide new opportunities to host more large scale events and connect Lancashire Cricket with the community thereby becoming a hub for Manchester and north west‑based events.
This latest proposal replaces that previously approved by Trafford council in 2019 allowing the council to develop their own plans, under it’s ‘civic quarter action plan’ for the regeneration of the Old Trafford area where it is hoped to provide opportunities for new homes and offices with much improved pedestrian and cycle routes together with the possibility to develop a new public piazza and ‘processional route’ which would link LCC with Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
Daniel Gidney, chief executive at Lancashire Cricket, said: “This is fantastic news for the Lancashire Cricket, and everyone associated to the club. The new stand and hotel extension complete the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford and will further enhance our reputation as a world‑class venue for business, sport and leisure. The decade‑long £60m redevelopment of the ground was undertaken so that the club could continue to host major competitions, matches and events, as it has done throughout its storied history.
“This redevelopment will play a key role in the club’s long‑term financial strategy. The revised plans provide greater revenue generation opportunities in the short and long term and, crucially, enable us to upgrade Emirates Old Trafford’s facilities, increase our overall capacity and improve the event‑day experience for all venue visitors.
“We’re looking forward to the successful completion of the project, which will help us achieve our vision of establishing Lancashire Cricket as the best cricket club in the world. It’s an exciting chapter for both the Club and venue, and also the region.”
Councillor Andrew Western, leader of Trafford council, said: “This is a fantastic development which will make Emirates Old Trafford a truly spectacular sporting arena and one of the biggest in the country. The scheme will also provide huge benefits to the local area in terms of employment and improved local amenities, and will keep Trafford firmly on the sporting world map.
“The Emirates Old Trafford stadium sits right in the heart of our Civic Quarter Masterplan which covers a 120‑acre site taking in the Town Hall, the University Academy 92 (UA 92) campus, and stretching up to the A56/Chester Road and White City retail park. Trafford council has invested heavily in the borough’s town centres and communities and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved. Creating successful and thriving places and having pride in our areas are major priorities for Trafford council.”
This major development project is being scheduled by Lancashire Cricket to commence in early 2022, with anticipated completion set for the 2023 cricket season when they will host an Ashes Test Match.
