Old Trafford regeneration project to be backed by Manchester govt

Manchester United is collaborating with the Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to develop plans for the regeneration of the Old Trafford area, with the creation of a world-class stadium for Manchester United at the core of the project.

In a statement, the UK Treasury announced that Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was championing the Old Trafford project as “a shining example” of the government’s plans to promote economic growth.

While Manchester United would be responsible for the stadium development, public sector support will be necessary to unlock the broader regeneration potential, including improvements to transport infrastructure and housing.

“If we work together, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a landmark project around Old Trafford that the whole region can be proud of. The delivery of a world-class stadium can be the catalyst for major regeneration of an area of Greater Manchester which requires new investment to thrive again. We cannot achieve that wider aim on our own, which is why we welcome the announcement by the Chancellor and the ongoing support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Trafford Council,” said Omar Berrada, CEO of Manchester United.

Last week, the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force revealed an initial options report, showing that the project could add an extra 7.3 billion pounds of gross value to the UK economy and create over 90,000 employment opportunities.

The Task Force also found that a redeveloped Old Trafford could increase the stadium’s capacity to 87,000, while a new stadium would allow for a 100,000-seat capacity. Both options are still under consideration, with the club set to decide on the preferred approach by the summer.

“The project around Old Trafford represents the biggest opportunity for urban regeneration this country has seen since London 2012 and is a key part of our 10-year plan to turbocharge growth across Greater Manchester. We look forward to working with the Government on moving freight away from the site around Old Trafford to new locations to open up capacity for our rail network and unlock massive regeneration potential – delivering benefits across the whole of the North,” said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

In the coming week, Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will discuss the potential benefits of establishing a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to help drive the project forward.