The facts
Location: Blackburn
Clients: Blackburn with Darwen, Borough Council,
Elevate East Lancashire, Livesey Wilson Associates
Start / completion dates: January - December
2007
Services provided: feasibility, business planning,
concept development
The project
Capita Symonds Consulting was commissioned by Blackburn with
Darwen Council, Elevate East Lancashire and Livesey Wilson
Associates to conduct a feasibility study into a football
destination concept, one of a number of regeneration projects
planned for Pennine Lancashire.
The study involved extensive research into the potential for a
football themed attraction in the Blackburn with Darwen area.
Market analysis was undertaken on a worldwide level to understand
existing sports interactive attractions and how some of these
elements could be incorporated in the core concept. Venues reviewed
included Kevin Keegan’s Soccer Circus (Glasgow), ESPN Zone (USA)
and the US Sporting Hall of Fames for baseball, ice hockey and
basketball.
In conjunction with the project team, a range of facility mix
options were explored around the core concept. Although the iconic
facility would be based around an interactive football attraction,
consideration was given to potential ancillary elements such as a
football themed spa, restaurant, bar, retailing and five-a-side
football. An analysis of catchment areas and potential sites was
used to inform a high level business plan designed to test the
viability of the options.