Wolves and Tesco Announce Joint Venture
The Wolves and Tescos are to present a joint planning application for a new Rugby League Stadium and themed retail store. In a ground-breaking deal betweeen Tesco, site owners Carlsberg-Tetley and Warrington Sports Holdings Ltd, the new store will generate the £12million necessary to help finance the new stadium. The application submitted to Warrington Borough Council by the Wolves and Tesco will be considered by the Planning Committe on Wednesday 23rd August, marks a major milestone in the campaign to build a new stadium for the club and the town's community, which will secure the long-term future of the club in Warrington. 
Tescos Corporate Affairs Manager Martin Venning said, "At a stroke, this deal will put Warrington well and truly back on the shopping map." Shopping in Warrington is already on the decline, falling from 56th position in April 1996 to 87th position in April 2000 in the UK retail Focus National rankings. "This plan is absolutely key to the future sucess of Warrington in a lot of different ways.", continued Mr Venning, "Warrington needs a broad range of retail and leisure facilities that are second to none. We live in a world of choice and people can always go somewhere else to do their shopping and enjoy leisure facilities. The challenge to Warrington is to offer something that is special, something which is unique this partnership is going to deliver just that. The multi-purpose stadium will have a capacity for 12,000 people and will be a state of the art facility including leisure, catering and education facilities. The club's board has also stipulated that the Stadium must be a focus for the community of Warriington, offering quality teaching facilities for training in sports and education for young people as part of a total community programme. 
Lord Hoyle, Chairman of the Warrington Wolves said, "We are grateful to Tesco for enerous donation of the land and their support with the application. Since we launched a campaign to build a new stadium, we have received enormous support from fans, local business and community groups. We take our hats off to the fans who started a groundswell of support from the launch date." "The social and economic benefits outlined by Tesco can only strengthen the buoyancy of the town. The new stadium will ensure that top level Rugby League stays in the Town and will help to secure the club's long term future. This is a wonderful opportunity to help give Warrington an image that is commensurate with its aspirations for City Status."
15, Aug, 2000
