Newcastle United’s owners have bought back Strawberry Place land in their bid to improve St. James’ Park over the years to come.
What’s the latest?
The Magpies saw the land next to the stadium sold during Mike Ashley’s time as the owner but it is now believed PIF have taken back the site.
It is believed the site could be used to help increase St. James’ Park’s allocation over the years to come through the development of the Gallowgate End.
However, there is also the possibility the site could initially be used as a fan zone on match days whilst the club assess their options as to how they could develop the stadium.
Nevertheless, journalist Craig Hope has been left buzzing by the news after the previous regime sold off the land back in 2019 for a believed £9m:
(1:45) “The absolute majesty of the sight of the stadium as you come in to the city over the river, or approach on foot walking up from the Central Station, and it opens up there in front of you, you know, the Cathedral on the hill, it really is quite something.
“So, from the club’s perspective, job number one was to preserve that. And by buying this land here, well, they’ve achieved that. So yeah, that is good news.”
More good news on Tyneside
This will feel like the season which just keeps on giving for the Magpies after what has been a remarkable 2022/23 campaign so far.
Under the Saudi-based ownership, Eddie Howe’s men are sitting in an impressive fourth spot in the table with Champions League football a real possibility for next season.
And the Tyneside club will have the opportunity at the end of the month to end their trophy drought as they face Manchester United in the League Cup final.
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But it is apparent the new owners are pleasing the fans with both the football on the pitch and their actions off the pitch in and around the city of Newcastle.
The owners have been prominent in giving back to the city since the takeover went through with donations to the local food banks just one of their actions to give back to the community.
And this latest action to take back Strawberry Place will delight all Newcastle fans given the concerns that will have amounted following Ashley’s sale of the land just a matter of years ago.
However, it is not just the principle of having the land back, it is apparent the owners want to develop it for the better of the match-going fans.
