Southend United reveals 21,000-seat stadium plans

League One club Southend United Football Club (SUFC) has revealed detailed plans for a new £80m stadium and retail complex which the club says will play a “huge role” in regenerating the seaside town.

The club plans to build a 21,000-seat stadium incorporating a 131-bedroom hotel and a retail park with an 11-12 screen cinema, 10 restaurant unites and 35 retail spaces. There will also be a residential element to the development.

Located at the town’s Fossetts Farm, the development will also include two all-weather soccer domes – one for use by the community and one for SUFC for training purposes and to aid the club's academy aspirations in developing young talent for the future.

The project is headed by developer Martin Dawn, a company owned by SUFC chair Ron Martin.

Martin Dawn is in advanced discussions with British Land to forward fund the retail development which will facilitate the first phase of the stadium.

SUFC currently plays its home games at the ageing Roots Hall stadium, which was built in 1952 and has a capacity of 12,000.

The club was promoted to League One in 2015 and has aspirations to establish itself as a Championship club – the second tier of English football.

To view detailed plans (downloadable PDF) for the masterplan,

click here.

• The plans will go on public display on Friday 23 October at the Roots Hall Stadium and the club is inviting local residents to comment the plans.