New Community Stadium – fans consultation results
New Community Stadium - Fans consultation results
From the public point of view it is essential that the new stadium is not only fit for purpose but that it is also designed, in as far as is possible, to meet Brentford fans’ ambitions. It is these fans that have seen many of their competitors build new stadiums, and have had to tolerate increasingly out of date facilities at Griffin Park. What do they want at their new home?
A survey was conducted in May among supporters, with a questionnaire being handed out at the penultimate home game, and posted on all fans’ websites. In total over 400 were returned, with over 360 being submitted online.
The survey asked fans what they would ideally want in a new stadium, what, if anything, they would take from Griffin Park, and what new stadiums they particularly admired or disliked. The results were published on the Club’s website and the highlights were as follows:
• The supporters feel that Griffin Park’s greatest virtue is the atmosphere generated by the closeness of the fans to the pitch. They want to retain this.
• The unique characteristic of Griffin Park is the “pub on every corner”- some fans would like to replicate this in some form in the new stadium.
• Would it be possible to have a safe standing area?
• Can the new stadium have a unique design as so many new ones are featureless and characterless?
• Can fans have more legroom and unhindered sight of the pitch from all seats?
• What are the plans for catering?
• What will the transport links be to the new stadium?
All of these points and others were presented to the stadium architects (AFL) and their initial responses have just been posted on the Brentford FC and fans’ websites. This is only the start of the consultation process, and the fans will continue to be part of this.