I'd like to comment on Peel's arrangements and relationships with local authorities. I cannot do that on here. However to get a flavour of the hold this company has on the area: the enlarged wind farm in the Rochdale/Bury/Blackburn area meant the local authorities had to invest to allow planning hearings: paid for by Peel. (From the horse's mouth).

It strikes me the JV can't win, there are bringing in a massive multi national company who will attract new people to come to Salford on a daily basis, even if only 1% of the new visitors notice the ground and take an interest we have potential winner.

I doubt Ikea would locate there and not take an interest in sponsorship and I've no doubt will attract more investment in the area.

Peel are property developers. They're in it for profit. It's what they're there for. Nothing wrong with that.
They drove the development of Salford Quays,and all the benefit and jobs from that,by buying the Ship Canal Company primarily for its land bank.
That enterprise plus the stadium build required a partnership with the local authority,which they need to be good at.
My earlier point was simply that there will be inevitable development around the stadium,because that was the whole point and the increased development will not necessarily improve stadium access ,particularly on a Sunday

Did you hear about the football team who were sponsored by Ikea? They played with a flat pack four.

The way things have gone in the last 12 months, they will probably build it and then move it to Leigh a year later.

Are you suggesting that Hansen, Patterson and Hock are a flat pack? I'll get me coat and chase off.

Was told yesterday the kinds of figures involved in buying or renting the land around the stadium. There are a potential 2 vehicle dealerships which both carry the price tag of £4,000,000.

I didn't expect the land to be peanuts but Christ not that much, for me just shows that when fully developed the whole area will be a gold mine, I'd be very surprised if the Doc wasn't looking for his piece of the pie, if it can be linked to the club then there's a potential massive revenue stream right there.

MR I disagree about the doc looking at the land around the stadium especially something linked to the club as this would tie him in long term to the club.
Remember the big artist impression of "his vision" for the site at the redevilution - academy centre, accommodation.....water park.
Although having something that actually belongs to the club (bricks and motor) would make it more attractive to sell I just can't see it happening, just my opinion.

From a quick glance at those plans I doubt that it is an ikea as they sell food as well as furniture.

Ikea sells food too, hot and cold.

The application is for "non food bulk retail" which rules out a major supermarket, it does not rule out an on site cafe or speciality food offering which IKEA offer. Just about every large non food store offer some food (The Range, B&Q, Dunnelin, garden centres, Ikea...)

For me the floor plan, the elevation and mezzanine, customer collection point, size and previous press reports that IKEA looked at the site is why I guess IKEA.

It's also worth noting outline planning permission was granted within the orginal stadium plans for this type of development so there are few reasons this application could be refused.

In the recent SMC accounts they refer to the fact that they have bought the site of the waste company (Whytes?) opposite the new pub from the administration firm.

That purchase was about the same time the press reported the council had put in more money. If so, rather than propping up the stadium they have made a canny property investment and both the council and peel are set to make a good profit from the site.

When a vehicle dealership is attracting sums like £4,000,000 it's obvious that making money in the future isn't going to be a concern.

Personally I'd love to see a sports bar in the mould of the ones you see in the States on retail complexes though doubtful.

I would just like to see a good Salford team.