Shots announce Natta as Development Partners

Aldershot Town Football Club has agreed in principle to appoint Natta Building Company Ltd as our official development partner to bring about the regeneration of the EBB Stadium and adjacent land.

Subject to planning permission being granted, the club and Natta will be working closely with Rushmoor Borough Council to deliver a commercially viable scheme. We envisage construction beginning within the next 18 months and aim to have regeneration completed within a five-year time span.

We also want to ensure that the stadium development aligns with the Council’s regeneration plans in Aldershot town centre. All parties will be consulting stakeholders, supporters and community groups to ensure that the facilities become the proud beating heart and soul of the community and provide a perfect opportunity for the club to move toward a sustainable model.

Shots chairman Shahid Azeem added: “We’re thrilled to have agreed on a deal in principle with Natta. Having been around for 47 years, Natta brings a wealth of experience, as well as being local to us. It was a unanimous decision by the Board.

“This follows on from the news of being granted a 118-year lease by Rushmoor Borough Council and will begin the next stages of a complex process which Natta will help us with.

“We are once again thankful to Rushmoor Borough Council for allowing us to move forward to redevelop the club. This partnership with Natta will now allow us to plan and begin the process. As I have said previously, the lease really is a game-changer.

“We will be engaging closely with stakeholders, supporters and the Council as we hope this development will be a key input in their plans to regenerate the town and build a facility that fans and the community will be proud of.

“Football has been at the EBB Stadium for 93 years now and we hope this development will see football here for another hundred. I am also conscious of the need to create a stadium that replicates the club’s roots and heritage and will have the same fantastic atmosphere that we create in our stadium today.”

Plans are in place for the club to remain at the EBB Stadium whilst construction is ongoing and we aim to cause minimal disruption in the day-to-day running of the club during this period, particularly on matchdays.

This development partnership is still in an infancy phase of a lengthy process, with plans yet to be submitted to the council. The aim is to keep the capacity of the stadium similar to its current number with a view to expanding if necessary.

Natta MD, John Whelan commented: “As a local construction company we are delighted to be given this opportunity. We have delivered several large scale design and build projects in recent years. We have the capability to deliver a vibrant, sustainable stadium that Aldershot and its community will be proud of for many years to come.”

The club is thrilled to be working with Farnham-based Natta on this regeneration, a huge local company that will utilise a local supply chain and local workforce for a project that will really give back to our community.

There will be no further information provided at this moment in time.