Football club given green light for stadium upgrade

Development on Weston-super-Mare FC's Optima Stadium, will begin in early 2027

A football club has been given the go-ahead to redevelop its stadium into a League two standard ground.

Development on Weston-super-Mare FC's Optima Stadium, will begin in early 2027 and will include new hospitality facilities, a brand new restaurant and bar.

Director at CMS Group, which is leading the project, Paul Rogers, said it marks a "major milestone" towards delivering improved facilities for supporters, players, staff, and the community.

Oli Bliss, Weston-super-Mare AFC chairman, said getting to this point took "many years of hard work".

Mr Bliss went on to explain how the upgrade will help to support "the progression of the club".

With planning now in place, the Board of Directors will begin the tendering process and pursue the required funding to move the project forward.

Mr Rogers said reaching this "major milestone" is a "fantastic achievement"

Mr Rogers said reaching this "major milestone" is a "fantastic achievement for a project that 'kicked off' back in 2018".

"It brings us one step closer to delivering a sustainable, modern facility that will benefit both the club and the wider community," he said.

Construction work is expected to begin in early 2027, with all club-related development completed by the end of that year.

The club said it would continue to operate from the current site throughout the development period.