DEVELOPMENT GIVEN GREEN LIGHT

08/02/2010

Warwickshire County Cricket Club is today (Monday 8th February) pleased to announce that its £30m plus Edgbaston ground redevelopment, due to be completed in summer 2011, should now be able to progress as planned.

The ground regeneration will see the construction of a major new stand on the south side of the ground, set to increase spectator capacity to 25,000. In addition, a 500+ cover banqueting suite and exclusive members’ areas will be erected and the façade of the ground transformed, to welcome new visitors and members, alongside state-of-the-art facilities for players, officials and media partners.

Demolition of the facilities due to be replaced commenced in mid-January, with the Club waiting for news following an objection from a small resident’s group which took its case to the Court of Appeal at the end of December - this application to appeal was today rejected.

Colin Povey, chief executive said: “The redevelopment of the ground is critical to ensure Edgbaston keeps its competitive edge and remains a worthy contender in the race to secure international matches.

“Today’s result is not only fantastic news for us, our players, members and cricket fans, but also for the economy of the West Midlands. There is great excitement at the Club about the proposed changes and I hope we can now look forward to starting the building work without further delay.

“The next 18 months will be an important chapter in the history of Edgbaston and Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Our plans have received strong support from the City Council, Advantage West Midlands and the majority of local residents.”

For further details contact the switchboard on 0870 062 1902.