Uwe statement

PLANS for Bristol Rovers to move to a new stadium at UWE’s Frenchay Campus could still be salvaged, says the university’s vice-chancellor.

Dwane Sports, who own the club, announced last night that they would no longer be planning to move to a new 21,700-seater stadium, abandoning more than six years-worth of planning after they were “unable to agree acceptable terms” with the university.

They added that they would begin looking elsewhere for a new permanent home.

Plans had been in the works for more than six years, with the club looking to relocate to the "UWE Stadium" on the Frenchay Campus from the Memorial Stadium, with the construction of the stadium, and a 1,270-space car park for the university.


A statement issued by the company on the football club’s website last night said: "Dwane Sports is disappointed to announce that its discussions with UWE regarding a potential stadium development for the Club have been brought to a close as the parties were unable to agree acceptable terms.

"We will now immediately turn our attention to exploring all other opportunities for a new stadium or for a substantive redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium, whilst at the same time continuing to develop the new Colony training ground.

"We would like to thank the Club's supporters for your continuing patience as we continue to work on this very important project."

But in a statement released this morning by vice-chancellor Steve West, he said that the university “has not given up on this hugely important project” and that “the door remains open for a deal to be struck”.

The statement said: “UWE Bristol has not given up on this hugely important project. We have been and remain committed to delivering a new stadium and were disappointed to hear from Dwane Sports that they wish to bring negotiations over the proposed stadium at UWE Bristol to a close.

“We have always wanted the stadium project as part of our vision for the University and wider Bristol community masterplan for the Frenchay Campus. We still believe it would bring great benefits to the university, local community and the regional economy.


“We have worked diligently and patiently with the new owners of the club and although we have been disappointed by the slow pace of negotiations, we are still willing and open to continue negotiations.

“This has been an initiative the university has been working on for over eight years and we still believe is deliverable. Planning consent does not expire until January 2018 and the door remains open for a deal to be struck and the University will continue to work on this project."