Aston Villa Football Club is consulting on plans for the redevelopment of Villa Park ahead of a planning application.
The first phase of the long-term vision for the stadium and the surrounding area will include a new North Stand connecting into the existing Trinity Stand, while enhancements will also be made to Trinity Stand to increase the stadium’s capacity to over 50,000. The food and beverage offering will also be upgraded, as will hospitality packages and connectivity across the site.
Aston Villa said it hoped that the plans, which have been put out for public consultation, will pave the way to create a world-class, year-round sporting venue, enabling the club to compete at the very highest level.
The plans will also see the introduction of a new commercial space dubbed Villa Live. The multi-purpose central hub space, will include the club shop and food and drink outlets, as well as areas showcasing the club’s heritage and history.
Aston Villa is asking the local community to help shape the story for Villa Live, with ideas ranging from a calming space for new parents, an active area for dance classes to an event space for training and education.
The pre-application consultation period will run for four weeks, comprising a survey and a series of community drop-in sessions to capture the views of local residents and businesses. The planning application will be submitted later this summer.
Christian Purslow, chief executive of Aston Villa, said: “The redevelopment of the stadium is vital to the club to satisfy growing demand. By elevating the hospitality offering at Villa Park, we want to enhance the match day experience and create a year-round entertainment venue to benefit both the community and our fans.”
Later phases of the redevelopment will focus on the stadium’s other stands and the wider area.
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