A former Chief Executive of Southend Council believes a move to a new ground is closer than thought, according to the Essex Echo.
In June last year it was reported that the former Prospects College land which is to be used was purchased by Fossetts Farm
The club have had plans to move from their existing Roots Hall ground for a while, but a move to Fossetts Farm looks likely to happen after years of anticipation.
Rob Tinlin told the Essex Echo that the scheme, which is backed by British Land – a real estate firm British Land – and current club chairman Ron Martin – is set to happen.
“I believe it’s the closest I’ve ever seen it. Ron’s got a couple of credible development partners. It’s a threat and an opportunity because the scale of the retail and leisure development that British Land wants to put in to help fund the new stadium and this has the potential to destabilise the town centre. I’ve had long discussions with British Land about this.”
Should Fossetts Farm build a new stadium, it will be included in a development that includes 35 shops, a 12-screen cinema, ten restaurants and a set of 240 apartments in three tower blocks.
But former Chief Executive Tinlin stated that in the horizon are exciting times for the entirety of Southend: “You can either run yelling that the sky’s falling or you can say right how do we manage this so we get a really nice up market shopping experience on the edge of town so that people come to Southend to shop. “
Blues chairman Ron Martin refused to comment.
