Robert Wicks, Commercial Director at Aberdeen Football Club (Scotland) and Trustee of AFC Community Trust, recently co-presented the findings from a powerful Economic Impact Study carried out by the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce in the Bridge of Don, Scotland) and MKA Economics (Business Management Consultant in Stirling, Scotland) on behalf of the Aberdeen Football Club and the Aberdeen City Council vis-à-vis a new home for the Scottish professional football club Aberdeen F.C.
‘A LinkedIn post from Robert Wicks’ stated that the study shows that a new stadium for Aberdeen F.C. at the beachfront as part of a wider redevelopment plan is projected to inject at least £1 billion into the local economy over the next 50 years and generate a footfall of 38 million.
The Aberdeen Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen, Scotland. They compete in the Scottish Premiership and have never been relegated from the top division of the Scottish football league system since they were promoted in 1905.
The 22,199-capacity Pittodrie Stadium, commonly referred to as Pittodrie, is an all-seater stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland. Used primarily for football, it has been the home ground of the Scottish Professional Football League club Aberdeen F.C. since they were formed in 1903.
Aberdeen F.C. has been working closely with the Aberdeen City Council on the designs and outline business case for a new stadium and community sports complex, incorporating an ice rink and a leisure center.
With stunning views out to the sea, the new stadium could be a beacon of sporting excellence, sustainability and community, attracting fans, citizens and visitors alike. Through collaboration and economies of scale, a new stadium and sports complex are affordable and deliverable for both the Council and the club.
Organizations use economic impact analysis to determine direct and indirect effects of businesses within a market or an economy, and how changes in public policy and investments affect the local, State or national economy.
‘The LinkedIn post from Robert Wicks’ further stated that the report estimates that the stadium and community facilities would inject an additional £20m into the local economy every year.
A new stadium and community leisure complex would directly support 260 sustainable jobs, providing £6m per annum in salaries, and an additional £14.3m of gross value added (GVA) every year.
Furthermore, £80million will be generated in new construction activity, creating almost 400 jobs across the industry.
Pittodrie currently generates around 400,000 visits every year. But with bigger and better facilities, the new stadium could bring an additional 350,000 visitors per year for major events alone. That is a total footfall of 750,000 every year.
Furthermore, a new stadium at the beach could be a tangible beacon of both the club and the City’s net zero ambitions – an outstanding opportunity to educate, drive awareness, raise the profile and importance of City decarbonization, thereby showcasing how energy transition, climate protection, sustainability, and top-tier sports go together and can make a tangible difference.
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