Southampton Football Club and Southampton City Council Announce Collaborative Vision for St Mary’s and Itchen Riverside
Southampton Football Club and Southampton City Council are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a transformative partnership to explore the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Waterfront area
Main image: an aerial photo of St Mary's Stadium looking toward the River Itchen. Inset: From left to right: Stephen Haynes, Executive Director - Growth and Prosperity of Southampton City Council, Phil Parsons, CEO of Southampton Football Club, and Andrew Travers, Chief Executive of Southampton City Council at St Mary's Stadium for the signing of the MOU.
This landmark collaboration aims to create a premier sports, leisure, and entertainment offer along the South Coast, benefiting residents, visitors, and the broader community.
The MOU establishes a framework for joint planning and development, as Saints and Southampton City Council work together to transform the Itchen Riverside and St Mary’s Waterfront district into a vibrant, year-round destination. Both parties aim to enhance the area’s economic potential while promoting sustainability, social value, and accessibility.
The shared vision includes:
- Expanding St Mary’s Stadium and developing the surrounding areas to accommodate future growth, establishing it as a key entertainment destination on the South Coast.
- Enhanced Transport and Infrastructure plans to improve connectivity, making it easier for residents and visitors to access the waterfront area.
- A mixed and balanced community that includes commercial, leisure, residential, and accessible public spaces that enhance the quality of life for local people and attract new visitors and investment.
- Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives aligned with Southampton’s Green City Plan.
Under this MOU, Southampton FC and Southampton City Council will collaborate on a range of initiatives such as future development, transport improvements, and overall community engagement to make the St Mary’s Waterfront area a leading sports and entertainment destination. Both organisations are committed to working openly and in close co-operation with local partners to achieve mutual goals that reflect the interests of the Southampton community.
The MOU’s objectives will be reviewed regularly, allowing flexibility for emerging opportunities and ensuring the project’s goals continue to meet the needs of Southampton’s residents and businesses.
Phil Parsons, CEO of Southampton FC, said:
“This Memorandum of Understanding is a crucial step in ensuring the future success of both Southampton Football Club and the city of Southampton.
“For the club to thrive and survive in the Premier League, we must increase our revenue streams, and developing the St Mary’s Waterfront area is central to achieving that. In turn, a successful football club at the highest level brings enormous benefits to the city, including increased tourism, investment, and civic pride.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Council for their proactive and committed approach to this partnership. Their vision for developing the area and improving the city aligns perfectly with our ambition to establish Southampton as a leading destination for sport, leisure, and entertainment.”
Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council, added:
“This is an exciting first step in bringing forward a unified vision for Southampton’s future. We are working with our partners and key stakeholders across the city to deliver on our aspirations and are delighted to be working with Southampton FC to support what for many people represents the pride of the city.”
The MOU emphasises the commitment of Southampton Football Club and Southampton City Council to work closely over the coming years in establishing the St Mary’s Waterfront as a vibrant and enhanced centre for sport and entertainment. This partnership is part of the broader Southampton Renaissance strategy, which seeks to attract investment and boost the local economy.
