Argyle take the lead as Pavilions is handed over
COUNCIL leader Tudor Evans has handed over the Plymouth Pavilions to Argyle boss James Brent.
The transfer of ownership to Mr Brent's Five Directions Ltd (FDL) brings an £83million redevelopment of the Pavilions a step closer.
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COOL AND THE GANG: Back (left to right): Rachel Houlden (PCC), Gavin Marshall (General Manager of Plymouth Pavilions), Alwyn Thomas (PCC), Alison Critchfield (PCC), Graham Potter (PCC) and Andrew MacMillan-Scott (Partner at Ashfords LLP). Front (left to right): Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Mark Lowry, Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith, Council Leader Tudor Evans, Chairman of Akkeron Group James Brent, Chief Executive of Theatre Royal (Plymouth) Limited Adrian Vinken and Development Manager for Akkeron Group Mark Jones
As part of the deal Mr Brent's company will be given the site and a contribution of £2million – but no further council subsidy.
Mr Brent has published plans to refurbish the existing arena and build a new full-size ice rink beside Home Park.
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FDL will re-clad the Pavilions, create a new entrance foyer, additional backstage and support spaces, improve lighting and acoustics and increase capacity.
The plans include residential and retail development, an hotel, and creating a link between Millbay and the city centre.
The Pavilions ice rink will continue to operate until the new rink opens on the car park at Plymouth Argyle's Home Park stadium.
Mr Brent, chairman of Akkeron Group, which includes FDL, said: "This is another important step in establishing Plymouth as the centre of sporting, leisure and cultural excellence in the peninsula.
"It will also generate a significant number of jobs."
Mr Evans added: "The new-look Pavilions will boast top-rate arena facilities that will help attract more events and conferences to Plymouth.
"It will also help to open the gateway to Millbay from the city centre, which is a key element of the Mackay Vision for Plymouth."
Theatre Royal (Plymouth) Limited will continue to operate the existing ice rink and arena on behalf of FDL. Adrian Vinken, its chief executive, said: "We are delighted the future of the arena and ice facilities has been secured for the people of Plymouth."
Comments
by trudie2010
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 6:26PM
“At last, an ice rink in central park, where it should have been put in the first place, good luck James.”
by argyleultra
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 4:47PM
“Saint James may as well be give the keys to the city now.
The debt that argyle owe has to be paid by the fans - hence why the club must self finance.
He gets the 'glory', the fans are the ones who will 'pay for it'.”
by knucklehead
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 11:15AM
“Please oh please cheer up you miserable sods”
by ewan55
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:42AM
“I see council leader Tudor Evans is still splashing council taxpayers money about on the public and privatisation of our assets (same as the Tories do), £2M to Theatre Royal, £2M to James Brent for the Pavilions, and lots more shady deals we know nothing about.
Next is going to be whopping rises in councillors allowances and expenses (about December time), I hope Mr Evans does not disappoint in this move or it will be out of character...
No hope next year of my council tax being reduced then......”
by pogle063
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:14AM
“Strange how a third rate recently on the brink of bankruptcy football club is suddenly wallowing in money and taking over public assets. After the farcical secretive and confusing mire that was the salvation of Plymouth Argyle I am stunned to see the council is now handing over public property to them - Evans obviously needs his head examining. Obviously the PDC fiasco lessons havent been learned.
First rate conference centre? who for Plymouth has virtually no means of getting here who in their right minds would come here for a conference?”
by jannerflight
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 8:48AM
“Is there anything else we can pay to get James Brent to take off PCC's hands. £9 million quid in total for a second rate football team and a nice little leisure centre which will reap him even more millions in the long term with its prime building land and his hotels on it. And this when there is no money to get the lease back off SHH for the airport and services are being cut hand over fist. You can rely on PCC no matter who is in power to give things away and pay the new owners to take it off their hands. Good old PCC.”
by Bwiththeollox
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 7:13AM
“Back left - Rachel = Very Fit. :)”
by Waltersmith
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 10:01PM
“They're all shafting you tudor”
by Waltersmith
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 8:46PM
“@greengom
It is one thing getting a fair deal, it is another getting the p**s taken out of you and you're smiling.
I want the Pavilions to do well as much as anyone but PCC have left it in an oasis of decline.
It is a sign of the desperation that this deal (as well as others have happened) - a sign of
a city in decline”
by GreenGOM
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 7:20PM
“Dear oh dear, listen to all the change allergic janners moaning yet again. Let's just keep all the old tatty buildings and watch them decay and ultimately fall down shall we?
Redevelopment and improvement won't finance itself. Plymouth's future is in tourism, leisure and the university so these are the areas to invest in.”