Everton exchange land-lease contracts for Bramley-Moore Dock site

Thursday, 23 November, 2017 77comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton FC and Peel have formally signed an agreement for the club to lease land for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, a significant milestone in the long-awaited delivery of a new home for the club.

The lease, which is conditional upon gaining planning consent for the proposed new stadium and securing funding for its construction, was signed under Everton Stadium Development Limited with Peel Land and Property (Ports) and will run for a period of 200 years at a peppercorn rent.

Under the terms of the agreement, Everton effectively now control the land upon which a new ground would be built, moving the Blues closer to securing a move away from Goodison Park.

Robert Elstone, Chief Executive at Everton Football Club said: “Clearly this is very positive news. Gaining control of the site was essential for us to be able to move forward with the next stages of the project — finalising the funding agreement with the Council and preparing for the submission of a planning application — both of which we hope to do in the New Year. I'd like to thank Peel as well as Mayor Anderson and his colleagues at the Council for their support in getting us to this point.”

The proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will be a catalyst for the £5.5bn regeneration proposals for North Liverpool which is set to be one of the largest and most transformational in the city's history.  



Reader Comments (77)

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Steve Ferns
1 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:17:12
I firmly believe the new stadium is happening. This is a lot further down the road than Kirkby or Kings Dock. A know we have a right to be cynical, but this one is real.
Liam Reilly
2 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:18:31
Got to get our act together on the field, though,Steve, because no spade will ever enter the ground in anger if the club falls into the abyss of the Championship.
Alan McGuffog
3 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:18:59
So we get planning permission granted. Then all we need is a few hundred million. Not too bad if you say it quickly...
Jay Wood
4 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:23:18
Just did a quick search on the CBRE group which is mentioned as 'advising' the club on the issue.

Apparently, they are described as "the largest commercial real estate services and investment firm in the world" in this wiki link.

Link

A step up from dealing with someone in a Manchester bedsit, I s'pose.

Jay Wood
5 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:27:56
This IS a 'good news' story, from the official club site no less.

Link

Place yer bets for who on TW will be the first curmudgeon to grumble about it.

John Wilson
6 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:36:16
A lease of land means legal estate – ie, a legal interest in land. So, the land belongs to Everton for a period of time – it's not just controlling the land but Everton have the land to build it's stadium project. The agreement to fund the venture seems likely now.
Brent Stephens
8 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:41:21
Very encouraging news. The mechanisms for the loan also sounded - well, sound.
Craig Walker
9 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:54:46
Some much needed positive news. It would be good to see some artists' impressions and design ideas some time soon. Bramley-Moore Dock is the only hope I have that we can somehow get back to the summit of English football in my lifetime.
Kevin Tully
10 Posted 23/11/2017 at 15:55:16
Excellent news! Whatever your memories are of Goodison, it is no longer fit for purpose. It's a relic. I know some would like to redevelop, but we really do need to move on.

A new era awaits (Once we cadge a few hundred million – go 'ead Bill!)

Tim Smith
11 Posted 23/11/2017 at 16:04:57
This really does up the ante; clearly Mr Moshiri's project is based us on being a Premier League club and we're all well aware of our current predicament. It might explain the element of desperation behind some reports suggesting he was prepared to pay up to £20m to get Silva.

I know we're all running out of patience, however, Mr Moshiri is clearly committing to our future and we all need to support him in the best interests of the club. The priority is to stay in the Premier League and to do that we need to stop letting in goals and get ourselves organised.

Sean Dyche can do this for us over, say, the next 3 years and then we can look for a continental coach to develop a more progressive football style. At present, let's not kid ourselves, we are bad and survival is key.

David Barks
12 Posted 23/11/2017 at 16:19:46
Notify me after a design has actually been put in place and funds have been found. Maybe construction will start by 2025, moving in around 2030? Meanwhile Spurs new stadium is moving along with ease.

Our neighbor's stadium expansion has moved forward with ease. Meanwhile we don't have a manager and play the worst football in the league. Happy days indeed.

John Keating
13 Posted 23/11/2017 at 16:24:00
To be honest I think this was probably the most difficult part of the process. Peel actually giving a "third party" land was a big step for them and us.

Now we have the 200-year lease, planning permission should be relatively easy as it opens up and initiates a vast development wanted by most parties. Finance, supported and backed by the Council, must be a shoe in.

Thank God Moshiri is the driving force in this and not the "World's Greatest Evertonian"...

Eddie Dunn
14 Posted 23/11/2017 at 16:27:51
Good news but I would suggest the timing of this little nugget of joy is to keep the fans happy while we wait for news on the new coach.
Michael Kenrick
16 Posted 23/11/2017 at 16:55:12
I'm confused. I read on here repeated statements of 'fact' that this project was dead in the water...

"The new stadium is as much a pipe dream as Kings Dock was."

"Forget any notion of a shiney new stadium – that isn’t going to happen."

"Even the Phantom stadium move appears to have been forgotten about..."

"If I could put money on the new stadium not going ahead as we were told, I would do so. It’s a sure-fire winning bet."

"Look no further than the imaginary new stadium to see progress under Moshiri."

"I was concerned about the lack of movement on the stadium a few months ago but now I think we all know that’s gone."

And of course...

"Huge dollops of humble pie will soon be served. None of it consumed by me either."

Brian Harrison
17 Posted 23/11/2017 at 16:55:31
I was talking to someone who works for Peel Holdings, and he has actually seen the draft proposals for the new stadium, and he said it looks impressive, and he is not an Everton supporter. He wouldn't tell me anything about the design.

I said a lot of us Evertonians are skeptical it will ever get built. But he seemed certain it would and the fans will like it. Didn't matter how hard I pressed him he wouldn't tell me anything about it.

John G Davies
18 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:01:03
Michael (#16),

Good post. The haste to jump on the negativity bandwagon is bewildering.

How fans genuinely believe Moshiri has invested his money to stay in a dilapidated stadium defies logic.

Stephen Davies
19 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:04:47
Tim (#10),

I'm sure Mr Dyche would jump at that brief. Here's a 3-year deal, no longer. Get us organised and stop leaking goals... simples.

Then we will bin you for a newer model. Thanks for making is organised and good luck the doors that way. Next...

Mark Morrissey
20 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:18:12
Great news, a life raft and flare in a sea of despair.

Silva resigned yet?

Brian Williams
21 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:18:17
As an addendum to this news, the club would also like to announce that Sam Allardyce has had a change of heart and now looks forward to working with our current squad in the lead-up to our game at the weekend! ;-))
Brian Williams
22 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:18:54
Love it when you get angry, Michael!!
Ognjen Mojovic
23 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:26:37
How is this deal good for Peel? How much they paid for the docks?
Tony Marsh
24 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:30:35
Micheal @ 16

It's okay, see you all in the New Stadium, no it looks a sure-fire goer... Well, my money is still on it not happening.

This news is just old rehashed stuff we heard a year ago. I will believe it when I sit down in it.

Eddie Dunn
25 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:35:25
Off topic somewhat but I see Welbeck is playing in Europe tonight. I wonder if he would fancy playing back up North?
Stephen Davies
26 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:35:29
#22

Peel may know.

Rob Halligan
27 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:40:07
Michael (#16). You know your TW contributors so well.😁😁
Brian Williams
28 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:50:25
Ognjen. It's a good deal for Peel because the stadium, and all that goes with it, will be the catalyst for regeneration in the area.
Tony McNulty
29 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:51:52
I don't suffer from the terminal cynicism of others on this issue, but I do understand where they might be coming from.

Indeed this is a move forward to a next phase, but the project is still subject to the uncertainties of "securing funding." Anyone looked at pundits' views of the future of the UK economy recently?

To end on a cheap shot: doubtless the money will be "ring-fenced" when the time comes.

Andy Meighan
30 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:52:07
Michael (#16), Who the hell are you talking about? (ahem!)
Peter Larkin
31 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:55:26
Michael Kenrick. Is it any bloody wonder we are negative! 20 plus years we're still shite... this is our 3rd attempt at a new ground.

Sceptical? Damn right I am!! And I'll not be eating any humble pie until I'm sitting in a shinny bowl on the Mersey.

Brian Williams
32 Posted 23/11/2017 at 17:58:14
We're not 'avin' no bowl Peter!!
Christian Watson
33 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:10:43
Great, we'll have the best stadium in the Championship!
Tony Dove
34 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:17:04
It will be interesting to find out what the Club has paid. This information will be obtainable from the Land Registry in due course should the parties choose not to disclose the figure in the interim.

Planning Permission should be straightforward but as for funding and stadium design?

John Keating
35 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:20:22
Ognjen. Brian is right it will be the catalyst Peel have been waiting for to start up the development of that part of the Dock Road area, infrastructure etc.
Jamie Evans
36 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:23:28
Come on chaps, it's been so miserable on TW for what seems like an eternity, surely this is something to be happy about.

Isn't it?
Surely??
Anyone???

Hello!?!

Peter Anthony
37 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:24:32
A brand new, grand new lady? No money no honey. Funding and planning permission secured, then I will allow myself real belief this will actually happen.

It was beyond Bill to get us a fitting new home, this is the test of Moshiri. Can you deliver the energising you alluded to Farhad? I am very hopeful. Good luck!

John Hoggarth
38 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:25:49
David @ No 11,

It's a heck of an exaggeration to say our neighbour's extension and Spurs' new ground are progressing with ease. Both were discussed and planned in depth over a number of years in the same way as any other civil engineering project of that size.

These things don't happen as quickly as we all would like. Today's announcement is very good news.

David Barks
39 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:31:53
MK,

And if you don't think this announcement of a real estate purchase, not planning permission or funding or any of that, was strategically planned on the day where we will all be reminded of the fact that we were knocked out of Europe with matches yet to be played, well I have a bridge to sell you too.

Honestly, we have no manager, have to waste our time on a Europa League match that we've already been eliminated from, but we should celebrate the fact that Moshiri bought real estate? This reminds me of people celebrating when he bought the Liver Building.

Darren Hind
40 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:34:22
David @ 11,

"Spurs new stadium moving along with ease"?

You may want to revisit that one, do a little research and see just how painstaking this venture has been for them. Yes, they can see light at the end of the tunnel now, but in comparison, progress on the docks is moving like an express train.

Also, RS only decided to put lippy on the bulldog that is Anfield after years of leading their moronic fans up the garden path with stories of a super stadium in Stanley Park.

Moshiri doesn't seem to do football, he may not even do football stadiums... but he probably knows a man who can.

These things take years; this is looking promising

Colin Glassar
42 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:44:47
This is good news. I still won’t believe it until I see the groundsmen turning on the sprinklers.
Eddie Dunn
43 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:49:43
No, David Barks is entirely correct, as I also mentioned above. This little nugget of hope has been released today to placate our fanbase, and distract us from the sadness of our current malaise. Our club is as calculating about the timing of good news as any government.
Colin Glassar
44 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:50:11
This is now being reported on in the Washington Post of all places.
Des Farren
45 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:51:42
Jamie @ 35.

"Happy"? – Not allowed on here mate.

We love misery... in fact I think we may have invented it.

Can you recall the last time you read through a thread and felt good after it?

John Otway
47 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:57:45
"Putting the stadium issue to one side" is akin to saying "Apart from that, how was the play Mrs Lincoln?"
Geoffrey Hall
48 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:59:15
Let's see how long it takes just for a set of plans even though what's-his-face has been drawing them up for the last year... This only will happen if the Russian from Arsenal comes... A pipe dream. We are a laughing stock.
Brent Stephens
49 Posted 23/11/2017 at 18:59:18
Yes, Des. This thread when there was only one post on it.
David Barks
52 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:11:13
Look, I want a new stadium. But I believe the focus should be on the pitch, with the stadium secondary. A stadium means nothing if the people running this club don't get their shit together or get others in place that can. As long as Kenwright has power, I have serious doubts.

So celebrating news like this just seems pointless to me. Announcing the hiring of a manager would seem to be a much higher priority. It is on the pitch that matters, not the stadium that houses that pitch. And we are awful on the pitch with a serious lack of direction.

Brent Stephens
53 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:12:45
David let’s multitask. If my wife can do it.
Les Martin
54 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:13:37
When "The Don" has finished his design, we will have the most iconic stadium in the Country, we the fans will also need a change of underwear!
Brent Stephens
55 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:14:24
And Moshiri outvotes Bill.
Joe McMahon
57 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:20:57
When and if construction starts (been here before) in 4 years time do we also get to play our home games at Wembley, or will it be Prenton Park? I'm just wondering as the Bullens will be nowt but dust and weeds by then.
Colin Glassar
58 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:23:38
Stanley Park,Joe.
Joe McMahon
59 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:27:22
Colin, you may be on to something, possibly with Jumpers for Goalposts?
Raymond Fox
60 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:31:57
Hallelujah, I will take that as positive news, nay very positive news until we hear otherwise.

Micheal or Lyndon is the spell check thingy switched off on site? Its not working for me.

Kim Vivian
61 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:35:01
I hope they incorporate the Leitch truss latticework in the new design. Make it feel like home.
Tony Everan
62 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:46:27
Can we get a lease on a new striker while we’re at it.
Neil Copeland
63 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:50:38
Joe, nah we would be found guilty of simulating goal posts!
Andy Crooks
64 Posted 23/11/2017 at 19:55:12
Michael K, #16 who was that last quote from; Marshy? Surely not?
Christy Ring
65 Posted 23/11/2017 at 20:57:46
Very positive news, hopefully we follow suit on the pitch.
Stan Schofield
66 Posted 23/11/2017 at 21:28:22
Michael @16: It's easy to get pessimistic, pissed off with what's happening on the pitch, and sceptical about a new stadium. But having said all that, it's clear that Moshiri is here not just to keep us in the Premier League, but to get us an maintain us in the Champions League, it being very lucrative.

And to be honest, although Goodison is great, at one time one of the best stadiums in Britain, and has fantastic memories for us, if we're going to be in the Champions League we need a fancy new stadium to go with it.

So to me, a new stadium, an iconic one on our iconic water front, is inevitable.

Next phase, Usmanov comes in. Then we start cooking on gas.

Stan Schofield
67 Posted 23/11/2017 at 21:48:18
Just to add, since some have mentioned Anfield's extension. I first went to Anfield for the Derby game in 1968 (1-1, Ball heading us into the lead, but Smith equalising from a free kick). I was in the Anfield Rd end. When the teams came out, I must admit to being impressed by the noise and sea of red from the Kop in front of me. However, that didn't stop me thinking that Anfield felt like an overblown sardine can, insignificant compared to Goodison, which had no doubt spoilt me with its grandeur.

Extension or no, Anfield remains an overblown sardine can. When our new stadium is built, it will continue the grandeur of Goodison, and the sardine can will remain in the shade.

Rob Brown
68 Posted 23/11/2017 at 22:41:40
More bullshit to keep us happy. We need Hans Sagers and Barry Horne to save us this year.
Mark Andrews
69 Posted 23/11/2017 at 22:44:17
Yay! We'll have the best ground in the Championship, or, on tonight's performance, League Two.
Jim Wilson
70 Posted 23/11/2017 at 23:41:50
Don't give a fuck about this. Get a good sensible manager in now to sort the team out. Nothing else matters!
Michael Kenrick
71 Posted 24/11/2017 at 00:27:42
This thread shows how imbalanced we all are, kicked from pillar to post, unable to take this at face value as a not-insignificant step along a complex process.

And no, Tony (#24), you're making a fool of yourself again. It's not old news from last year. It's a new agreement securing leasehold for the land from Peel Holdings. That is progress. Not spades in the ground but we are still a long ways off that.

Tony Marsh
72 Posted 24/11/2017 at 00:48:51
MK @71 if you or any other of our long suffering supporters think the absolute clowns who are running this club can deliver on the promise of a stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock then I'm sorry but you are living in a fantasy world.

The custodians of EFC cannot keep hold of our players, cannot attract a manager, cannot oversee the signing of decent players. They cannot do the simplest of tasks. We have leased a piece of land in a run-down part of the city. It means nothing. It's a gesture, that's all it is.

No planning permission, no stadium design, no funding, just press releases. We all knew about the land at Bramley-Moore Dock, so what is new about this latest snippet of crap?? Yes Micheal, it's all looking well under way on the docks isn't it??

I take it you have never been down the dock road. I go down there 4 to 5 times a week. It's an absolute shithole with no infrastructure. Who will put the roads and traffic lights in? Moshiri? How about the car parks, busstops, train station, street lights, public facilities etc. There is nothing there except for a pub and derelict buildings.

If I've made a fool of myself again then so be it, but Kenwright and Moshiri are making fools of you all. I am 55 years old maybe get to see a new stadium in my life time but I doubt it will be on the Bramley-Moore location. We can't afford a striker never mind a new stadium, FFS.

Kunal Desai
73 Posted 24/11/2017 at 07:26:47
It's like with any agreement in life. Once you lose that trust its always difficult to ever regain it. Same applies in this instance, the supporters have been lied to time and time and time over decades that it gets to a stage where people have no confidence in the people running this club to deliver. The faith and trust is lost and difficult to ever regain.

Moshiri has been on board for nearly two years have we really made significant strides moving forward? Seriously ask yourself that? A bit of cladding, a lick of paint and what else has changed.

Spunked the majority of the Lukaku and Stones money on rubbish and the rest of the recruitment was funded by the increased television money. Look at our change in shirt sponsors, probably as bad as piss Chang that we had for over a decade.

Richard Jones
74 Posted 24/11/2017 at 08:52:01
Wow, the club are really upping their game on the timing of their "jam tomorrow" stories, this one was on Sky straight after Unsworth's post-match presser. Come on, guys, get with the programme and treat this bullshit with contempt it deserves.
Brent Stephens
75 Posted 24/11/2017 at 09:00:11
Richard – "this one" was announced before the game. "Come on guys..."!
Richard Jones
76 Posted 24/11/2017 at 09:35:05
Like I say, Brent they really are upping their game if they pre-empted the feeling "come on guys".
Brent Stephens
77 Posted 24/11/2017 at 10:29:01
You might well be right, Richard!
Ben Dyke
78 Posted 24/11/2017 at 11:45:30
I'm fully expecting Moshiri to pull out, after the club gets relegated at the end of the season, citing "boardroom differences", leaving us with no stadium, no Premier League Football, no backer and no hope
Andrew Haizelden
79 Posted 24/11/2017 at 12:09:41
From what I recall, Peel bought the Docks and estates. They separated out the land and the working docks (Peel Ports) and the land was transferred to Peel Holdings. Some years later, he sold a 49% stake in Peel Ports for quite close to what he paid for the whole docks.

Peel Holdings have now transferred Bramley-Moore Dock to EFC for a peppercorn rent. I believe it will happen and Peel will make a fortune from the associated redevelopment of the surrounding areas.

Shaun McGough
80 Posted 24/11/2017 at 12:22:00
Phew... a lease for 200 years. Moshiri and Kenwright should be able to sort something out in that amount of time, it's not like they don't know how to sign two forwards with a year's notice, sell players who want to leave, or appoint a manager...
James Byrne
81 Posted 24/11/2017 at 13:58:05
Tony @72!

You do talk some garbage. Talk about doom and gloom.

We know the club have issues (or it appears) but I'm trusting Moshiri to deliver on Bramley-Moore Dock. Clubs don't make these statements without having some credible substance to them.

Who will build car parks, pubs, bus stops, shops in this area! The ground will attract thousands of people a year, people will come with money, the council and private sector will develop the infrastructure. Companies will throw millions at it in investment based on the surrounding land.

People like Moshiri don't accidentally end up Billionaires, they see the future and what 5, 10 or 20 years of investment will bring. Why did he buy a share of the Liver Building?

However, I appreciate these plans are nothing right now until the club is stabilized. The next two games could see us stable in the Premier League and a new manager sitting in the hot seat. Time will tell.

Enough of the gloom, it's bollox and most of us don't buy into it.

Jim Lloyd
82 Posted 24/11/2017 at 14:27:54
Farhad Moshiri might or might not, know the ins and outs of running a football club. Though my guess is that he has now learnt a very harsh lesson and, because of it, now sorts the Boardroon out as a priority.

He does, however, have a sound business and financial knowledge and he also knows some very, very influential people who just happen to be extremely rich as well.

The North End of the city as been waiting like a jilted bride, for some major development to take place and get it flourishing. Liverpool Waters is the Keystone of the resurgence and Peel Holdings are not going to see the development crumble away because of any partners who are not capable of contributing to the massive regeneration about to take place.

A new international Liner terminal, a new ferry terminal and a new Isle of Man terminal, and probably a ferry service to Ireland as well. Then there is the housing development already taking place. Mr Moshiri and partners have bought the Liver Building and I don't think they've bought it because it's got a nice view.

A key part of the development is a stadium for us! All we have to do is just make sure we stay in the Premier League for this season and that should be our number one top target.

Not a big ask... is it!

Chris Gordon
83 Posted 24/11/2017 at 20:45:38
It will be the best stadium in the Championship at this rate!
Alan McGuffog
85 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:48:30
I can see the Bramley-Moore Dock being a great success. As we slide through the Championship towards Division One with the world's greatest Evertonian doing a Robert Mugabe, someone will come up with a great idea.

A proper club with ambitions and a world wide fan base that doesn't put up with bulls hit for decades will move into a spanking 80 thousand seat stadium. We can slink back to our original home and entertain Brentford and Doncaster and the like. Easy!


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