LUTON TOWN’s new stadium plans will be “bigger, better and bolder” given their Premier League experience – but the move date could be pushed back.
The Hatters will be back in the Championship next season after their relegation from the top flight was confirmed on Sunday.
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Following last season’s play-off victory, manager Rob Edwards and his team finished six points from safety and ended the campaign with a 4-2 home defeat to Fulham.
However, the Premier League’s huge “extra income” means Luton have been able to improve the club’s plans for their new stadium.
Their new Power Court home is being built on land close to the city’s railway station.
Preliminary work has already begun and the goal is to open at the beginning of the 2027/28 season.
However, this could now be delayed by 12 months, according to chief executive Gary Sweet.
He made the revelation while taking part in a question and answer session with the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust.
He said the delay could be to avoid leaving the Kenilworth Road ground mid-season.
Sweet said: “We fully understand certain frustrations and we are as keen as anyone to do this and it is not an easy question to answer. [as to when it will be ready].
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“There are so many complexities in a project like this, in a place like this and at a time like this, including some outside of our control.”
Sweet then cited a number of key challenges they faced on the project.
He blamed Brexit, Ukraine’s war with Russia, “massive interest rate hikes” and “[building] skyrocketing material costs” were all mentioned.
The club submitted full plans last week to Luton Borough Council to reroute the River Lea as part of proposals for a wider 17-acre site.
Sweet says that “despite the obvious complications” with the location of his new home, it’s the right location.
He said: “It’s right in the center of our city, it’s where a football club should be.”
Luton’s new stadium was due to open in three phases.
The initial capacity was set at around 17,500.
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However, Sweet says the financial boost of being a Premier League club this season has meant the Power Court will now open at its “maximum permitted capacity” of 23,000.
The current planning permission for the site was approved in 2019.
This allows the football stadium, up to 1,200 homes, plus leisure, entertainment and community facilities to be on site.
Luton will restart life in the EFL on the weekend beginning August 10 as they look to secure an instant return to the top flight.
And they will know who they will face on opening day when the league fixtures are released on Wednesday 26th June.
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