New £55 million investment into The Amex?

[Napper]

Wait till the bars and clubs spring up on the field opposite over the next 20 years .

 

[Gwylan]

I feel pretty good about this: was worried that hotels next to football grounds hadn't worked but having seen plenty of examples where it had - and bearing in mind the shortage of Brighton hotel rooms, should be a winner.

I don't know why people are saying that people won't stay in the middle of nowhere. About 15 -20 years ago I worked for a company whose management training sessions were held in hotel in Oxfordshire about 15 miles from the nearest station - my taxi bill was more than £20 just getting to the place. And that hotel did a lot of conference business.

I'd love to see the Amex developed as a rugby venue: there was a thread on here a few weeks ago about the merging of Brighton and Hove rugby clubs. Not sure that's a goer but would love to see top-class rugby down here.

I'm also intrigued by Mark by the Sea's comment on the Argus site, that what's happening next is even more exciting but is sworn to secrecy. Hasn't he got a good track record of being in the know?

 

[Driver8]

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

That shouldn't take long, most of it is Tarmac already!

 

[Badger]

This is all very well but when are they going to build the casino and theme park?

 

[Hillian1]

I actually feel disappointed by this announcement.

Same as.

 

[LamieRobertson]

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?

Thats where our new striker will be staying....he can have a lay in and just nip across for work...should be finished by the time we sign one

 

[Giraffe]

I would love to see Norman Baker's face right now.

 

[Gwylan]

I would love to see Norman Baker's face right now.

Not words you hear very often ... unless it was to slap it

 

[Giraffe]

I would like to see what size the multi story car park is going to be. If significant I wouldn't be surprised to see the club soon announce plans to increase the current capacity of the stadium to 40-45,000

 

[Moshe Gariani]

And lastly, can you tell me how much money I have in savings, investments and business equity?

Not sure but sounds like it could be CONSIDERABLY MORE than Vegas Seagull...

 

[Driver8]

I would love to see Norman Baker's face right now.

Here you go

 

[Driver8]

I would like to see what size the multi story car park is going to be. If significant I wouldn't be surprised to see the club soon announce plans to increase the current capacity of the stadium to 40-45,000

No more spaces than there are currently in the Bridge car park so that won't be happening.

 

[Colossal Squid]

But the car park already exists.

But aren't these plans for a new multi storey car park?

We were always going to need some parking on site, which we've got. But I thought the idea of large scale parking facilities was a complete no no.

I should point out it makes no odds to me and I'll support our wealthy benefactor all the way. I'm just curious about this car park element

 

[The Large One]

Not words you hear very often ... unless it was to slap it

I see it many, if not most, days.

 

[The Large One]

But aren't these plans for a new multi storey car park?

We were always going to need some parking on site, which we've got. But I thought the idea of large scale parking facilities was a complete no no.

I should point out it makes no odds to me and I'll support our wealthy benefactor all the way. I'm just curious about this car park element

I guess we'll have to wait until the planning application has gone in and been registered. Then it will be on the council website.

 

[clippedgull]

Interesting development.

 

[Lifelong Supporter]

The players alone will take up alot of rooms surely

Like it.. Like it.. really do...

 

[Billy the Fish]

As for it's viability, I'm surprised the two Uni's haven't built one themselves before now. A few years back I worked on an IT project at Aston Uni and part of that was a hotel build. Once the hotel was open it was always busy, I know that is much closer to the city centre but there did seem to be a high proportion of people using it and walking directly out of the door to the uni. It will no doubt be expensive, but so is every other hotel in Brighton. Most hotel use in the week goes straight on work expenses, that's why rooms in most cities are cheaper at weekends.

Secondly, I think we need a new thread just for egg on face moments about this subject. If anyone has time please could they go through some old threads and see what we can dig up, just for some juvenile amusement, I'll have a go if I get time at work. I seem to remember a few people getting slaughtered by some of NSC's inner circle when they mentioned the dreaded H word

Lastly, as we're already building why stop at a hotel? The retail park must be fast approaching the horizon..................

 

[Twinkle Toes]

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 ?

Ever get the feeling you've been thoroughly mugged-off Westy? Well I do too.

ps Maybe it's just me, but the soul of this club seems to be being eroded by the continual yabba coming out the club concerning securing lucrative new revenue streams & aspirational business plans. Call me old fashioned, but they seem a million miles away from a so-called community football club. I realise the stadium, staff & new training facilities need to be paid for: but it sure ain't what I envisaged when folk were marching for Falmer & doing all they could to secure the future of the football club they loved. A Soccerball experience with Brighton Express here we come...

 

[Driver8]

But aren't these plans for a new multi storey car park?

We were always going to need some parking on site, which we've got. But I thought the idea of large scale parking facilities was a complete no no.

I should point out it makes no odds to me and I'll support our wealthy benefactor all the way. I'm just curious about this car park element

But there will be no more spaces than we have currently, they will just take up less room so freeing up space for the student accommodation.