Manchester United announce entertainment complex plans

Manchester United have unveiled plans to build an entertainment complex on land near the club’s famous Old Trafford stadium.

The Premiership football club have joined forces with hotel, entertainment and gaming company Las Vegas Sands, in order to develop the proposals, which include plans to construct a luxury five star hotel, restaurants, health club, sports bar and a regional casino on the Trafford Park side of the ground.

Trafford Council’s Executive has agreed in principle to support the proposal from Manchester United and Las Vegas Sands.

If the bid is successful, the club says that it would create the largest cultural village outside central London.

The designs also include provisions for a new Metrolink station to allow rapid transfer from all parts of Greater Manchester, improved bus routes and additional parking spaces on the site.

The club also has further plans to regenerate a wider area around the stadium, to increase the potential for other leisure, recreation and entertainment businesses in the area.

Manchester United’s Commercial Director Andy Anson said that the club was “delighted” to be working with both Las Vegas Sands and Trafford Council on the project. He said: “If selected by an independent Advisory Panel, it will provide the first class entertainment and accommodation on one of the most famous sporting sites in the world. It will also create jobs and generate income for the local economy.”

Rodney Brody, UK representative for Las Vegas Sands, said: “Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and a truly global name. It’s great to be working with them and Trafford Council for this proposal, which will develop new links between Old Trafford and the Quays.”

Mr Brody added: “The project has the potential to create up to 2,000 new jobs and an outstanding entertainment and leisure complex for tourists and the local community who will benefit from a range of new facilities.”

(KMcA/SP)