- Location:
- Leicester
- Services:
- Budget:
- £60m
- Client:
- Leicestershire County Cricket Club
- Sector:
- Masterplanning & Urban Design
Sports Facilities
Hospitality & Conference
Retail
maber have been appointed to lead on the preparation of a development vision and delivery strategy for the Upton Steel County Ground home of Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
The Club’s vision is to establish itself as a centre of cricket excellence that ties in with its aim of being the ‘Academy of Cricket’.
The ambition is to develop a venue that not only meets the requirements to comply with the ECB standards but also offers, with its potential partners, a location where individuals can learn about all aspects of cricket. This would not be limited to just the playing side of cricket but every other aspect associated with it including; administration, marketing and commercial activities, ground and event management, and governance. The aspirations and development of the ground must also ensure the Club is able to be financially sustainable.
The ground comprises approximately 11 acres of land, consisting of the playing field and existing buildings including The Pavilion, hospitality areas, groundsman’s workshop, and other ancillary buildings. The playing area is one of the largest in the country, however the facilities and infrastructure are no longer fit for purpose, thermally inefficient and not accessible to all. As a result there is an urgent need to update the facilities in order to comply with ECB requirements for spectators, players and officials.
maber have worked closely with internal and external stakeholders, the Local Authority and other consultants to develop an outline masterplan that achieves the Club’s vision.
The proposals include creating a new ‘front door’ to the ground to improve the visitor experience on both match-days and non-match-days.
The playing surface is reduced to free up land for development whilst not compromising on the ability to provide a flexible playing surface. Residential and commercial uses are proposed within the ground to provide sustained income, as well as improved hospitality and spectator seating. A new Pavilion will provide greatly improved Player and Match Official facilities, whilst the Academy of Cricket will provide a unique offer to the sport.