Plans Submitted For Seagulls' Fan Zone At Brighton's Amex Stadium

Plans have been submitted for a fan zone outside Brighton and Hove Albion’s stadium in Falmer.

The football club hopes to sell food and drink from an open-sided building with seats, toilets, television screens and live music.

The proposed building would replace the existing kiosks by the railway line at the end of the route to the American Express Community Stadium from Falmer station.

The planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council said that the proposals were part of a broader plan to improve the “tired and worn” outside areas surrounding the stadium.

On behalf of the club, DMH Stallard associate planner Daniel Frisby said:

“The lack of available fan facilities, particularly toilets, as well as the lack of available cover during inclement weather, has generally meant that attendees at the stadium delay their journey until approximately one hour before football matches.

“This contributes to crowding on the public transport network as fans seek to arrive at a similar time.

“The lack of available external facilities limits opportunities for fans who have seats in different parts of the stadium to socialise prior to a match.

“These issues broadly have a negative impact on the fan experience at the stadium, particularly during the winter months, which detract from its role as a sporting venue.”

The fan zone was described as intended to create a “sense of entry” to the stadium.

Mr Frisby said:

“This will help to enhance its role as a major sporting venue and will help to attract new visitors, including fans of away teams, as well as providing an additional offer which will improve its potential to host future national or international sporting events which in turn helps to raise the city’s profile.

“The proposals as a whole will significantly improve the identity and visual appearance of the stadium to a level that befits a club seeking to become a regular top 10 Premier League team competing at the highest level.”

There are three public comments about the application on the council’s website – two in support of the proposal and one against.

Supporters said that the fan zone would encourage people to arrive earlier and ease the burden on public transport.

One anonymous supporter, whose details were redacted by the council, said:

“This will provide a place to go which we currently don’t have. This will also provide lots more employment for local people.”

The objector, whose details were also redacted, said:

“This is going to bring additional football fans to the local neighbourhood, extending the time they are in the area, creating additional noise in the evenings after football matches – more disturbances to the neighbourhood from these football fans.”

Dick’s Bar is expected to remain open as a pre-turnstile bar in the short term before being incorporated into the new fan zone.

Brighton and Hove Albion has also said that it has plans to develop facilities in the North Stand.

To view the application and comment, visit the planning section on the council’s website and search for BH2023/02872.