Anfield Road Stand Expansion Falls Into Administration
The construction company overseeing the Anfield Road Stand expansion has fallen into administration, leaving almost 500 jobs at risk. Work on the new stand ceased last month after Buckingham Group filed an intention to appoint administrators, and with a buyer not having been found, that outcome has now been confirmed.
For Liverpool, the news means they can now appoint a new contractor to complete the new stand, a process that This Is Anfield understands is firmly under way. The Reds have been forced to play their first two home games of the new season with the top tier of the Anfield Road end shut to supporters. Prior to Buckingham’s collapse, delays to construction had resulted in plans for a phased opening of that section that would have been completed in October.
Impact on Anfield Capacity
Once complete, the new stand will bring Anfield’s overall capacity up to 61,000. Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan recently said of a changing schedule: “Obviously we talked about having the stand fully open in October, clearly we have discussed the uncertainly that this announcement creates. We are still aiming for October but what we’re working through now is to put a plan in place.”
It remains to be seen what new timescale will be followed once a new constructor is appointed to finish the project. The impact of the delay on Anfield’s capacity is yet to be determined, but it is clear that the stadium will not be able to reach its full potential until the new stand is finished.
Conclusion
The news of Buckingham Group’s administration is a major setback for Liverpool Football Club and its supporters. The Reds have been forced to play their first two home games of the new season with the top tier of the Anfield Road end shut to supporters, and it remains to be seen what new timescale will be followed once a new constructor is appointed to finish the project.
Once complete, the new stand will bring Anfield’s overall capacity up to 61,000, making it one of the biggest stadiums in Europe. Until then, Liverpool FC and its supporters will have to wait for the completion of the Anfield Road Stand expansion.