Development of Sixways key to return of pro rugby

Oliver Holland of Loxwood Holdings said turning Sixways into a destination was vital to bringing professional rugby back to Worcester

The owners of Worcester Warriors have said the commercial redevelopment of the Sixways site is at the forefront of plans to bring back professional rugby.

A two-week public consultation on the plans is under way, with an information event held at Sixways on Tuesday.

Last month, Junction 6 Ltd said it would submit a planning application by Christmas.

Speaking at Tuesday's event, Oliver Holland of Loxwood Holdings - the firm behind Junction 6 - said: "We can create a real sense of place at Sixways and establish it as a venue in its own right."

Mr Holland said Sixways would become a new centre for events and corporate hospitality

Mr Holland - whose father Christopher took over the club after the previous owners, Atlas, went into administration - said a rugby club in itself was not sustainable.

"If you look at the history of the Premiership in recent years the clubs themselves have had to have large cash injections just to… keep running," he said.

"So the idea for this is that we generate capital for the club and also ongoing revenue so the club can return sustainably."

A 120-bed hotel is a key part of the redevelopment plans

The plans for Sixways include the expansion of the north stand to increase the stadium's capacity, a multi-storey car park, an events centre, six padel courts and a new corporate hospitality offering, including a 120-bed hotel.

"I think a big part of what makes our model work is the ability to generate extra income," said Mr Holland, "using [the stadium] as an events facility, using it for conferencing and really making this asset work.

"It's pretty much all or nothing for us," he said, adding that "wholesale development across the site" was needed to fund the rugby club.

Warriors' owners want to redevelop the entire Sixways site

Mr Holland added that feedback during the consultation period had been "incredibly positive" so far - especially from Warriors fans.

"We've had a number of interested former season ticket holders who have expressed a desire to retain their previous seat."

The public consultation runs until 16 December.