The Kirkby Project
Proposed Everton stadium in Kirkby, rejected in 2009.
The Kirkby Project was a proposed new football stadium in Kirkby for Everton Football Club, intended to replace Goodison Park as the club's home ground. The plan originated in 2006, was the subject of a Public Inquiry in December 2008, and was rejected by central government in November 2009. The stadium was to be part of a retail park complex planned by Tesco and Knowsley Council, with a planned all-seated capacity of 50,401, expandable to 60,000.
- Proposed capacity
- 50,401 (expandable to 60,000)
- Estimated cost to everton
- £78 million
- Tesco contribution (value)
- £52 million
- Overall reported value
- £130 million to £150 million
- Location
- Kirkby, adjacent to M57 and A580
- Distance from goodison park
- 4 miles
- Distance from liverpool city centre
- 8 miles
Lore & Background
The Kirkby Project originated in 2006 as part of a development called 'Destination Kirkby', backed by Tesco CEO Terry Leahy. The stadium was designed loosely on FC Köln's stadium from the 2006 World Cup. Everton conducted a ballot of season ticket holders and shareholders in 2007, and after approval by Knowsley Council in June 2008 (20 votes for, 1 against), the project was called in by the government in August 2008, leading to a Public Inquiry in December 2008. The stadium was rejected by central government in November 2009.
Tesco's involvement included purchasing existing town centre stores for £65 million and an adjoining piece of land for £12 million from Knowsley Council. Tesco planned to reroute the River Alt, relocate wildlife, and remove woodland to make the site viable. The £52 million cross-subsidy was sarcastically described as a 'miracle of modern economics' by Liverpool City Council's barrister Stephen Sauvain, as no details on costing were revealed due to confidentiality issues. Everton director Robert Earl had described Tesco's contribution as 'manna from heaven' and a 'non-reimbursable cheque'.
Reader's Guide
The Kirkby Project represents a significant chapter in Everton's stadium history, highlighting the complexities of financing new football grounds through retail partnerships. The project's rejection by central government in 2009 ended a three-year effort to move the club from Goodison Park to a site in the neighbouring borough of Knowsley. The controversy surrounding the Tesco cross-subsidy—where the source of £52 million was never clarified—underscored the opacity of such deals. The project also sparked the 'Keep Everton In Our City' campaign, which opposed the move and voiced concerns at the Public Inquiry. Other stadiums built with retail enablers include Parc y Scarlets, McDiarmid Park, St Mirren Park, Stadium MK, Liberty Stadium, Ricoh Arena, and Halliwell Jones Stadium. The Kirkby Project's failure left Everton still seeking a new home, with subsequent discussions of groundshares and other sites.
Did You Know?
- Tesco planned to reroute the River Alt and relocate wildlife to make the site viable.
- The £52 million cross-subsidy was called a 'miracle of modern economics' by a barrister because no one would explain where the money came from.
- The proposed site was 4 miles from Goodison Park and 8 miles from Liverpool city centre.
More in Club History
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