Everton take major step as Bramley-Moore preparations continue
Everton’s preparations to move into their new stadium on the banks of the Mersey are taking another significant step forward as they seek to agree terms with Liverpool Council over its alcohol sales.
In just six months’ time, the Toffees will be gearing up to welcome more than 50,000 fans for the first official game at Bramley-Moore Dock after more than a century at Goodison Park. Preparations have been ongoing for a number of weeks now with a test fixture taking place later this month.
The club are now hoping to secure the vital sign-off they need from Liverpool Council to ensure they can serve alcohol across the bars and restaurants throughout the new ground, as well as the 30,000sq ft fan plaza. The club’s new stadium will lead to an increase of around 13,000 people on Goodison Park’s existing capacity, with an expanded hospitality offer to match.
READ MORE: Boy, 17, hit by car on main road suffers serious head injuries
READ MORE: Body found after huge emergency response at Liverpool's Pier Head
With the handover to Everton from construction firm Laing O’Rourke completed in December, the club has now applied to the city council to secure terms for its first season. Proposals include permission to serve alcohol from 9am up to 3am daily, with a late night provision as part of the bid.
This would extend to the external fan plaza at the eastern edge of the site leading up to the ground. The area would be cleared by 11.30pm.
The premises licence would also permit performance of live music until 11pm outside the stadium and up to 3am indoors. Almost 12 months ago, the club confirmed its series of themed pubs and bars that would be incorporated into their new home alongside serving points in each stand for matchgoing supporters.
Village Street and Trinity Place Bar will be located in the west and east stands respectively and have been offered on a seasonal membership basis. Village Street takes its name from the road in the city where St Domingo’s FC changed their name to Everton Football Club in November 1879, a year after formation.
One of two traditional pubs, The Queens Head, is named after the original location situated on Village Street where the club was formed while Kendall’s is named in honour of the club’s greatest ever manager, Howard Kendall. The fan plaza has been designed to be as large as the city’s Pier Head and will host pre- and post-match entertainment like the current fan zone at the Park End at Goodison Park. Representations can be sent into Liverpool Council until February 27 ahead of city council officials considering the plans.