New £55 million investment into The Amex?

[Hugo Rune]

MY initial reaction is that the Bridge Car Park development is something that was always in the offing. The club had had negotiations with the council over the site - including relocating the community centre - with a view to future considerations. Student accommodation and more car parking was in the mix regarding use.

I would therefore not be surprised if this gets given approval. One thing is for sure, Martin Perry would have had many conversations with council officers regarding its viability. I'm certain the club wouldn't have put in an application without feeling it wouldn't get through. It's a bit of a waste of £20,000 or so otherwise.

The hotel, while I'd heard whispers of it, was something I don't think the club hadn't seriously considered until the staidum was finished - if at all. I also see the design means it looks wholly inside Brighton & Hove City limits, suggesting to me the Lewes DC don't like it. (I've no evidence for that, mind). It also isn't that much of an increase in the stadium footprint, bearing in mind there was supposed to be a 'bund building' (aka Teletubbies building) behind the East Stand. I'm surprised, however, that they're going for it, and am not convinced it will be a success. I mean - who wants to stay... there?

Both the Univeristy Of Brighton & Sussex University have significant amounts of visiting lecturers, contractors, partners, Students, academic conference goers etc staying in Brighton hotels at any one time. I can't see the hotel having less than 50 guests at any one time. Very good idea IMHO and likely to generate income for the club.

 

[enterprise]

Don't get why this wouldn't be seen as a great idea. How many hotels in Brighton are this accessible with easy parking? I get the thought process of people wanting to be in town but when away for business many people won't think about leaving their hotel so location tends to be the driving factor and therefore weekday demand for such a hotel is bound to be huge with big deals being available over the weekends. Also when it comes to generating all the additional non football revenue ie conferences at the ground, the hotel would be a great a great asset to drive this business and help the Amex make money and thus have the desired effect that we all want for available player transfers. Lets face it the Amex hosts 23 league games and then 3 - 6 friendly and cup games per years with maybe additional days for concerts and an age group international. The club needs to look at ways of driving income into the stadium on all these other days and mothers and fathers day lunches don't quite deliver the break even point! Take racecourses as a slightly similar model ie racing only takes place on site 15 - 30 times per year (ignore the AW tracks). I would imagine that nearly every racecourse in the country has a higher non racing business revenue and profit than from racing. This is brought about by conferences, retail shows etc. Many racecourse's have already linked hotels to their business model which continues to be successful ie Lingfield, Epsom, Fontwell, Goodwood (in a roundabout way), Sandown (replacement hotel on the way) and may others across the country.

The mention of having rugby team appears earlier as well. I'm sure it will get shot down but is this such a stupid idea? Where is the nearest big team to Sussex? Harlequins nearest with Saracens, Wasps and London Irish all being 1.5 to 2 hours away. When Wasps were looking for a new ground I was really surprised that we, Southampton or particularly Portsmouth given their current plight didn't get involved. Just look at how many rugby clubs we have across Sussex and the demand for driving 10 -15k crowds isn't an unrealistic thought. Combine that with food and bev sales and it must have been on the radar?

 

[Guinness Boy]

Would increase the viability of the Amex as a conference venue Shirley? Excellent conference facilities AND accommodation nearby.

Think of events like the JoHo's every year - where do they stay at the moment?

Amex Christmas parties would also build up a bit of business and there is no secret as to why the club would want it up and running for the Rugby World Cup.

The thing is there isn't unlimited opportunity to expand the number of conferences. You can only do it out of season and on definite international breaks. Imagine if we'd had the JoHos booked in for Monday 28th October because we were *definitely* playing Watford on the Friday

 

[Silverhatch]

The planning application will surely have to sort out the A27/Woodingdean Junction bottleneck as well.

 

[Doc Lynam]

I have to admit it doesn't sit comfortably with me. All those years of campaigning and saying there were no plans for anything other than a stadium to the opponents of it and now we're made to look like liars. I know the club need to generate revenue but surely if they appear to be liars it's going to get very difficult for them to get permission for other things in the future ?

This, it may well make financial sense in the long run especially with FFP but it doesn't make me feel comfortable. Given the fact we fought so hard and so long to have a home supported by so much good will.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

...and Bennett's field?

Bennett's Field is owned by the Bennett family. No-one knows what plans they might have. The covenant on the land might be a factor that will affect its development potential.

 

[The Large One]

Large One, I'd use the hotel for midweek games as a non Sussex seagull. Could park up, check in watch game go back to hotel, have 8hrs kip and check out just in time to join the queue of last cars exiting Bennett's field from the night before.

It's a fair point.

However, if it's 4-star, it could well be pricey - even if the club offers a discounted rate to STHs. And you'd only be staying there 20 nights a year; where will the rest of the trade come from?

Others are saying 'visiting academics' etc. There will be some trade of course, and I'm sure that the club has done its maths. I guess it's a matter of opinion which can't be proved one way or the other at present.

I'm not trying to do the project down, I am open to the idea. I'm trying to work out its viability.

Hamilton said that Brighton is still short of hotel accommodation, though a pretty big one has just opened in Queens Road, and another one is being built in the *cough* New England Quarter. So I've no doubt of the requirement for more hotels but... there?

 

[Driver8]

I'll definitely use the hotel for some home games provided it's not too dear. I always struggle to get a local hotel at reasonable cost. The city centre hotels are hideously expensive at weekends.

 

[Colossal Squid]

Surely the sustainable transport plan that was so integral to the original project would prevent a multi storey car park from ever being built. I thought the idea was to reduce traffic from cars and encourage public transport use. A car park stands in the face of this somewhat

 

[Goldstone76]

Absolute genius.. And puts the club in an even stronger position financially in the longer term with added income and benefits to the club, city and Uni.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Surely the sustainable transport plan that was so integral to the original project would prevent a multi storey car park from ever being built. I thought the idea was to reduce traffic from cars and encourage public transport use. A car park stands in the face of this somewhat

But the car park already exists.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

It's a fair point.

However, if it's 4-star, it could well be pricey - even if the club offers a discounted rate to STHs. And you'd only be staying there 20 nights a year; where will the rest of the trade come from?

Others are saying 'visiting academics' etc. There will be some trade of course, and I'm sure that the club has done its maths. I guess it's a matter of opinion which can't be proved one way or the other at present.

I'm not trying to do the project down, I am open to the idea. I'm trying to work out its viability.

Hamilton said that Brighton is still short of hotel accommodation, though a pretty big one has just opened in Queens Road, and another one is being built in the *cough* New England Quarter. So I've no doubt of the requirement for more hotels but... there?

Our company regularly arrange hotels for employees and contractors in the city and it's surprising how difficult it is to find rooms sometimes.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Just reported on BBC Southeast news. Didn't catch all the details, but included a hotel and conference centre I think.

Has anyone heard even a whiff of a rumour about this?

I have. My sister in law is an ecologist and has recently been given the contract to start inspection of the area.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It also goes against the grain of what the club suggested when it was pleading its case with local residents. Poor show.

I have to admit it doesn't sit comfortably with me. All those years of campaigning and saying there were no plans for anything other than a stadium to the opponents of it and now we're made to look like liars. I know the club need to generate revenue but surely if they appear to be liars it's going to get very difficult for them to get permission for other things in the future ?

I agree with both of these posts. I actually feel disappointed by this announcement.

 

[jgmcdee]

It's obvious: TB wants to keep Martin Perry working until the day he drops and with the training ground going very nicely he needs to give him something else to do. This should keep him busy for the next few years.

But yeah, tricky one. Good for BHAFC, not so good for it's long-term reputation in the community.

 

[The Large One]

Our company regularly arrange hotels for employees and contractors in the city and it's surprising how difficult it is to find rooms sometimes.

Not surprising at all, I'd say.

Brighton doesn't only thrive on tourism. Conference and corporate delegations are vital too, hence more hotels being approved.

 

[Arthur]

I mean - who wants to stay... there?

Who would want to stay at the Madjeski/Cov/West Ham/Reebok/any of these out of town hotels?

People obviously do!

What most people seem to be ignoring is they'll be another bar by the football ground which has got to be a good thing!

Can't believe anyone is surprised by this move. Was obviously going to happen despite the club categorically denying it during the planning phase.

These complexes need to operate 365 days a year not just 25 to make them viable. Expect casinos, multi plex cinema, bowling alley, ice rink, shops to be next on the agenda.

 

[Hamilton]

I have no doubt the hotel will be a success. There isn't enough hotel capacity in Brighton.

However, I'm not convinced that the hotel, car park and student accommodation are going to make significant in roads into the financial security of the Albion.

I'm also more than a little concerned that we are going back on our word when it comes to the increased development of the site. I'm sure someone at the club will say we never made any commitment either way, but I do recall that when such protestations were put to us - and I mean supporters - we all said "no no no."

 

[supaseagull]

Words fail me. You utter tool.

Thanks...I wanted a reaction like that

 

[Mellotron]

But remember, no matter how many 100s of millions Tony Bloom keeps pumping into the club - he is definitely NOT a billionnaire.