Newcastle United planning on making fan zone behind St. James' Park

Fan Zone will also help to make a significant amount of fans interaction

Newcastle United hopes to launch the fan zone by the end of 2023, pending the approval of planning and licencing applications. The fan zone will be constructed using recycled shipping containers, similar to London's BOXPARK retail hubs.

Additionally, the location will generate 150 full and part-time jobs, with the club's Foundation employing its NU Futures programme to provide employment opportunities for locals.

It follows from the February report that the club had bought Strawberry Place, which is located behind the stadium and was part of the Magpies' expansion ambitions.

They will look into long-term solutions to see whether we can improve St. James' Park 52,300 seating capacity. Since the Saudi-led takeover in 2021, ticket demand has risen to previously unheard-of heights.

Newcastle United have acknowledged that the process for their brand-new Strawberry Place fan zone's planning application has started.

In order to expand further around the stadium, Mail Sport reported in February that the Magpies had purchased the land right behind St. James' Park.

The team posted information regarding the new procedure on Wednesday in collaboration with STACK and Sela, their latest front-of-shirt supplier.

The fan zone will offer food and entertainment alternatives for spectators on game days, evolving into a general gathering place unrelated to football activities.

On their official website, Newcastle said: 'An initial planning application has now been lodged with Newcastle City Council, with a proposed fan zone to be constructed in two phases to extend the site over a ground floor and first floor.'

The club's shareholders were adamant about purchasing the land that Mike Ashley leased for £9 million to the developers Helios Real Estate and Marrico four years prior. It was most recently under Reditum Capital's control.

Fans were worried that the land would be replaced by offices and apartment buildings as a result of Ashley's transfer. Additionally, it posed a threat to the city's famous southern approach view of St. James' Park.

In order to acquire the land, co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi oversaw negotiations for a whole year before the agreement was reached in February.

The money will now be utilised to enhance the fan experience on game days, but getting as many fans into St. James' Park, which was sold out for every game of the season, remains the ultimate goal.