The Premier League has welcomed news that Everton have received a start date for their new stadium.
The club will take possession of the Bramley-Moore Dock site on Monday 26 July, with contractors Laing O'Rourke immediately beginning the first phase of the project as part of the construction of the 52,888-capacity stadium.
"A start date for construction on Everton's new stadium is not only welcome news for the club and their fans, but for the Premier League as a whole," Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said. "This new home will give Everton and visiting supporters a fantastic matchday experience and provide players with state-of-the-art playing and recovery facilities, while also positively impacting the local community.
"Stadium developments are an example of the contribution our clubs make, not only to the sport but to both the regional and wider economy. After a season when COVID-19 posed considerable challenges for football and society as a whole, the commitment Everton has made to this development should be commended.
"Their plans will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the local area and beyond as the recovery from the pandemic continues."
🏟 | It's time to reveal proposed designs for our iconic new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey... 💙 #EFC pic.twitter.com/U2ZrOS9LCN
— Everton (@Everton) July 25, 2019
Boost to local economy
The stadium will deliver a £1billion boost to the economy of the city of Liverpool and provide up to 15,000 jobs for local people, of which 12,000 will be during the construction phase.
It is estimated the stadium will attract about 1.4million visitors to the city and more than £255m will be spent through the local supply chains.
It will also accelerate other local development worth more than £650m and provide an annual boost of £2.1m in council-tax receipts and business-rates income of £1.7m a year.
'A momentous day'
"This will be a momentous day in the history of the Club and is testament to the ambition and financial commitment of Farhad [Moshiri, Everton's majority shareholder] and the determination and talent of Denise [Barrett-Baxendale, the chief executive] and her executive team at the Club," Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told the club's official website.
"Like every Evertonian, Goodison Park has been a massive part of my life but in moving forward we could not have found a more fitting nor more glorious site for our new stadium – one which will both honour our history and celebrate our magnificent future."
