University joins Old Trafford stadium task force to support regional regeneration

Manchester Metropolitan is helping to shape the regeneration of Old Trafford as part of a task force that will look at developing a new world-class stadium.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press CBE has joined local and national leaders for the regeneration project, exploring how a new stadium of national significance can deliver social and economic benefits for Greater Manchester.

Manchester Metropolitan is already deeply rooted in the fabric of the city-region, working to deliver education and research that supports its communities, economy and society.

The University is also a leading centre for sport and health expertise through its Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, providing elite athletes, teams and governing bodies with advanced research that further cements the city-region’s reputation as a global hub of sporting excellence.

The new task force for Old Trafford will be chaired by Lord Sebastian Coe, former chair of the organising committee for the 2012 London Olympic.

Other members include: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Sara Todd, Chief Executive of Trafford Council; Gary Neville, former captain of Manchester United; and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press CBE said: “We are a proud partner of the city-region working across diverse sectors to ensure Greater Manchester remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainable economic growth, while providing education opportunities and support for its communities.

“I am delighted to join the new task force that will explore how a new stadium of national significance can drive investment and revitalisation in the region, and create a potential new iconic stadium that would reaffirm Greater Manchester’s global reputation as a centre of sporting excellence.

“We recognise the vital role sport and exercise can play both at an elite level and in supporting healthy living. Our Institute of Sport is already working with partners including Manchester United FC where we are providing cutting-edge insights and research to help the men’s, women’s and academy teams gain that critical competitive edge.”

The task force will assess the feasibility of a new stadium of national significance equipped to host international games and finals, as well as providing a modernised home for Manchester United.

Working alongside Trafford Council’s Trafford Wharfside Framework, the project aims to support revitalisation of the area between Trafford Park and the banks of Salford Quays, and support the ‘levelling up’ agenda to drive investment in the north of England.

It would also aim to bring more major sporting events to the north of England.

Lord Coe said: “Throughout my career in sport, I have seen the potential for stadiums to become focal points for strong communities and catalysts for social and economic development.

“That was certainly true of the venues we built in east London for the 2012 Olympics, and we are overdue a project of similar scale and ambition in the north of England. I am honoured to have this opportunity to share my experience in support of this tremendously exciting project.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, added: “This can be a major regeneration project for an area of Greater Manchester which has played such a key role in British industrial history, but which today requires new investment to thrive again.

“The north-west of England has a greater concentration of major football clubs than anywhere else in the world, yet we don’t have a stadium on the scale of Wembley, the Nou Camp or the Bernabéu. We will not be able to change that on our own, which is why this task force is so important to help us seize this once-in-a-century opportunity.”

Other members of the task force include:

• Duncan Drasdo, Member of Manchester United Fans’ Advisory Board and Chief Executive of Manchester United Supporters’ Trust
• Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council
• Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester
• Anna Bensky, Associate Director of Peel Land