No surprise Catlin backs Tesco ...

POMPEY’S chief executive has backed plans to create a Tesco store at Fratton Park ahead of a decision over the scheme today.

Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee was due to decide this afternoon whether the 24-hour store should be given permission to go ahead.

As reported, if the plans are granted then the club will be given money by store applicants Point Estates towards the renovation of the stadium.

The club aims to rebuild the East Stands and extend the Fratton End with a view to having a 30,000 capacity stadium.

In a statement, Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin said: ‘We’re confident this scheme is good for the club and also good for the city as a whole, and we hope the committee will feel able to support it.’

It is estimated the store, earmarked to go behind the Fratton End, would create 300 new jobs and have an annual turnover of £55.71m.

Nearly 4,000 people have signed two petitions against the scheme. It is feared it will lead to traffic chaos and force independ

Hope the TESCO bid fails. FP as a site is no good for PFC's long term future. We could spend millions tarting up the old girl but in the end age will catch up with her just like it does for the rest of us.
We need a new site, Council backing and new money to move forward.

Don't agree Bladds.I want to see my life out regularly visiting FP. FP IS POMPEY.
After I'm gone they can do what they want.

I cant think of one site on the Island which would have a chance of getting through the planning process. However there are those that have pointed out if the Tesco development goes ahead, then any increase in size of FP will be limited, Big decision for the Council to make with plenty of opposition from Milton and Eastney

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Originally Posted by BlueAdder

Hope the TESCO bid fails. FP as a site is no good for PFC's long term future. We could spend millions tarting up the old girl but in the end age will catch up with her just like it does for the rest of us.
We need a new site, Council backing and new money to move forward.

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100% agreement from me.

Must agree, if this goes through it's just a matter of time till FP reaches end of days.

It poses a few questions, what happens to Robinsons money if permission is refused?
Where does the club stand financially?

And the key point, given that FP can never be a fitting venue for anything above league 1 or championship football and the younger audience will demand state of the art facilities in the future. Are PCC council be selfish and just happy to accept the income which PFC brings in?

I just wonder if another local council would be more interested in a joint venture to build a multi purpose stadium, fit for purpose and capable of generating far greater revenue from Concerts and other events.

Fareham would be the obvious area with plenty of sites having that potential.

At least half the match day attendees live off island so would it be such a bad thing as some would have us believe?

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Originally Posted by Scoular1

Don't agree Bladds.I want to see my life out regularly visiting FP. FP IS POMPEY.
After I'm gone they can do what they want.

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I agree with that. Too old to change after 67 years watching at Fratton Park.

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Originally Posted by midhurstblue

Don't agree Bladds.I want to see my life out regularly visiting FP. FP IS POMPEY.
After I'm gone they can do what they want.

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I agree with that. Too old to change after 67 years watching at Fratton Park.[/quote]

Well we can't wait about for ever for you guys to kark it before a decision is made. You're gonna be around for donkey's years yet. :D

Hopefully watching Pompey playing in Portsmouth. The clue is in the title, Portsmouth FC :star:

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Originally Posted by suicide

Fareham would be the obvious area with plenty of sites having that potential.

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pompey tried a JV with Fareham council back in the 90's having earmarked Cams Alders, home of Fareham Town FC, for a new training ground. The word was that Fareham council were up for it but it went no further as the conditions of the land being left to the council in the first place stated that only sporting developments in the interest of Fareham itself would be allowed. I sense that a change to portsmouth & Fareham FC wouldn't have gone down too well.