Bread and Circuses

HOST

Jonathan Edwards

National Head of Sport

jonathan.edwards@uk.rlb.com

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As RLB’s National Head of Sport, if there was a wish list of stakeholders to discuss how stadia and event spaces can be engines of regeneration, it would have been the panel I had the privilege to host at this year’s UKREiiF. Entitled ‘Bread and Circuses', we tackled some vital questions for those of us working in the built environment today:

Are sports and entertainment facilities fulfilling their potential to drive social change?

What do we need to deliver to provide truly inclusive multipurpose spaces?

How do we ensure these spaces leave legacies in the cities they serve?

More than Bricks and Seats

Greater Manchester Mayor and Everton supporter, Andy Burnham kicked off the discussions, emphasising the power of sport and how it can unite the masses with one clear passion. Acknowledging that stadium developments – from Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium and Manchester’s Co-op Live to the redevelopment of Wembley - demand significant investment, there was no question that their real value lies far beyond match days and concerts. That they can be the spark of regeneration that can transform entire districts for generations.

Celebrating the North West’s heritage as a home to world-class clubs and iconic venues, we continued to hear about how the 2002 Commonwealth Games truly demonstrated the transformative power of sports-led regeneration. The legacy of the Games didn’t just give Manchester City a new home; they attracted global investment, new schools, housing, retail and transport links – reshaping East Manchester and setting a blueprint for future success.

Today, projects like Co-op Live build on that legacy, boosting footfall to the city centre, expanding local hospitality, creating jobs and powering Manchester’s growth. It proves that when done right, venue-led regeneration, like seen with the Commonwealth Games blueprint, can become a catalyst for a thriving, connected city and a renewal of community pride.

People First

But investment alone isn’t enough; there was recognition from all that they must serve more than just the fans. They must bring neighbourhoods together, create jobs and provide spaces for all. Stadiums are not just venues, they have the potential to be anchors for opportunity. Yet growth demands connectivity, and transport infrastructure must keep pace.

Balancing commercial success and community value

Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium illustrates best practice in driving this opportunity for all. Everton FC’s Chief Executive, Colin Chung described how they embedded a clear social value plan from the start, turning every pound invested into £ 30 of social return, regenerating communities alongside the club.

The panel recognised that with the North West home to many of the world’s premier football clubs, sports can, and will, continue to bring investment to the region, attract global partners and be a game changer for the communities they operate within.

Going beyond statutory requirements, Everton FC’s redevelopment embraced real co-creation with its fans and the people of Liverpool, with over 65,000 people taking part in the consultation, and of those, 1,400 participating in a face-to-face sessions with the lead architect, Dan Meis.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar

Legacy is key. A stadium built for a single tournament must become a lasting asset. That means thinking beyond the stands and parking lots – creating liveable, ready-made neighbourhoods with mixed uses and community facilities for all.

James Saunders from Quintain talked to us about how the Wembley Park development embodied this mindset. Its masterplan reimagined not just a stadium but an entire community with Quintain and Brent Council co-authoring an action plan that turned vision into reality. Transport was upgraded, and a whole ecosystem of indoor and outdoor venues, housing, retail and public realm facilities was created. Where public and private funding was used to unlocked this transformation, its success depended on a shared commitment by the public and private sectors to put people first.

Perserving History and Regeneration

The power of community culture goes beyond sport, though, and the Piece Hall in Halifax is testament to this. Now a thriving world-renowned cultural hub, it is proof that the regeneration of heritage spaces can bring the same sense of pride and economic momentum within communities.

However, engagement and co-ownership are vital, with Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE outlining the formula for success as: a great space, people have some control over what is going on in their community, and they have pride.

With the clear message that people need to come first and then the money will follow, everyone agreed that the long-term economic resilience of these projects brought more value than the revenue they generated.

Building an Ecosystem for All

We closed the panel by recognising the importance of smaller venues and grassroots culture. A visitor’s levy, common abroad, could help keep the UK’s creative edge sharp and sustain small venues that shape our cultural DNA. As Andy Burnham summarised,