‘We have been talking’ - Amanda Staveley confirms exciting Newcastle United news

Newcastle United are speaking to architects about extending St James’ Park’s 52,000 capacity, co-owner Amanda Staveley has revealed.

The club’s owners, led by Mehrdad Ghodossui, bought back Strawberry Place - four years after it was sold by Mike Ashley to private developers. The initial plan is to create a fan zone on the land, which is situated behind the Gallowgate End, though it could be used to expand St James’.

Under Ashley’s predecessor, the late Freddie Shepherd, plans had been drawn up to increase the stadium’s capacity to 60,000. It could yet be that Strawberry Place is not needed for the expansion - if modern technology allows for otherwise.

“We love St James’ Park,” Staveley said at MIPIM, the world’s largest real estate conference. “We luckily bought Strawberry Place and we have been talking to architects about what we can actually do.

“We desperately need to invest in the stadium. It’s just the most incredible place, but it needs to be fit for purpose.

“We create so much magic in that stadium every day and every time there is a game on, Sky love coming. The broadcasters love it because they get real content. There’s that sense of excitement that we have to build and deliver because a lot of people can’t visit St James’.

“On the other side, there needs to be significant investment in food and beverage. Food and beverage offerings need work.

“We have got to get the ticketing system right. There was a historical 10-year season ticket deal. Literally, every part of the business needs to be shaken up.”

Since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia-led October 2021, demand for tickets has gone through the roof.

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