The London Olympics have left a lasting legacy in the UK, with a plethora of business and commercial opportunities created as a result of the flurry of activity surrounding the Olympic Park since the Games ended. However, while local businesses have certainly profited, sporting teams from slightly further afield have also benefited from the sporting venues within the Central London location – especially West Ham United, which will move into the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
As a result, their current home stadium was placed on the market upon confirmation of their successful bid for the Olympics venue, and this week the club announced that a successful deal has been struck. Upton Park will officially change hands upon West Ham’s vacation of the stadium in 2 years and will be taken over by London property developer the Galliard Group.
Although no plans have officially been set in stone, it is believed that the Galliard Group intends to transform the land into a new residential and leisure facility. As well as building homes to help satisfy massive demand for residential property in east London, the group will create retail and leisure units to help boost the local economy, with an estimated completion date set for the latter part of 2018.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady refused to reveal the sum the Galliard Group will pay for the ground, which was estimated to be worth around £20 million when it was placed on the market. Instead, she focused on the reasons behind the sale – as although the club claims to have received “more lucrative offers” from rival bidders, it believes the developer will best meet the needs of the community.
She continues; “The deal demonstrates that we have been true to our word by securing the regeneration of two areas of east London through our move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
“In addition, and most importantly for us, we can see that Galliard are passionate about working with West Ham United to engage their supporters to help deliver a fitting legacy that will honour the tradition of the famous ground.
“We are confident that West Ham United fans will be excited about their vision and the way they plan to respect more than 100 years of West Ham history at Upton Park.”
As part of this legacy the Galliard Group intends to commemorate West Ham and England legend Bobby Moore by naming a landscaped garden at the heart of the development in his honour. In addition they are hoping to commission a statue of the World Cup winning captain and several pieces of West Ham inspired artwork to be located throughout the site.
Roberta Moore, daughter of the World Cup winner, says; “Hopefully, the new sculptures and buildings being proposed will also help ensure that a lasting legacy to the club, my father and his team-mates is left at Upton Park.”
