Southampton Announce Collaborative Vision For St Mary’s & Itchen Riverside
Southampton Football Club and Southampton City Council have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a transformative partnership to explore the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Waterfront area.
The landmark collaboration aims to create a premier sports, leisure and entertainment offer along the South Coast, benefitting 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.
“This Memorandum of Understanding is a crucial step in ensuring the future success of both Southampton Football Club and the city of Southampton,” said Phil Parsons, CEO of Southampton FC.
“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.”
Image: Southampton FC
