Concourses

[Supernova96]

I know nothing has been finalised yet but didn’t know whether anyone had any insider knowledge about the concourse situations particularly in the north and west stand.

Having walked up to the new stadium (and we all are aware) the north stand is very shallow in terms of underneath the stand. Imo it looks like the bottom floor of the concourse on the west stand could be used for the bottom tier of the west stand and the majority of the north. With the upper tier of the west stand having the first floor of the concourse. Also worth noting with the family section within the north west corner that allowances would be made. Seems like it would be like sardines in that north stand at half time.

On another note, is there going to be anything different in the concourse design than most of these other standard new stadiums do we know, especially in west stand? At the end of the day we all want a repeat mk dons in the concourse after beating Fulham to be promoted to the premier league.

Only a small thing in reality but just thought I’d ask if anyone had any info as concourse in north stand looks non existent in comparison.

Ps with the stadium staying open till 8pm on match days, can I order in a dominoes? lol

 

[jlove]

The Level 0 concourse for the WS has toilets and 2 concession booths (one with a cellar) but stops under the WS. The NS Level 0 includes the corner but is narrow, as you say, including concessions, again one with cellar, and a lot of toilets.

The Level 1 WS concourse goes around the corner and again includes toilets and a larger concession footprint. There is no Level 1 concourse in the NS, so you need to go downstairs, which is narrow, as you observe, with the only large space, under the corner, for family. There was a discussion about giving access to the North access road and the Club having a "marketplace" there while is is closed on match days but that may come to nothing.

Actually, everything is finalised from the build perspective (I think that was last August), so it is my belief that the only changes will occur once the stadium is handed over and the Club gets its hands on it. I don't think there will be anything fancy but there will be electronic display boards, so that the internal appearance can be changed for BFC and LI. As the match-day income at GP is ⅙ of sod all, the club would be missing an opportunity if it allowed you to order in food!

 

[Supernova96]

The Level 0 concourse for the WS has toilets and 2 concession booths (one with a cellar) but stops under the WS. The NS Level 0 includes the corner but is narrow, as you say, including concessions, again one with cellar, and a lot of toilets.

The Level 1 WS concourse goes around the corner and again includes toilets and a larger concession footprint. There is no Level 1 concourse in the NS, so you need to go downstairs, which is narrow, as you observe, with the only large space, under the corner, for family. There was a discussion about giving access to the North access road and the Club having a "marketplace" there while is is closed on match days but that may come to nothing.

Actually, everything is finalised from the build perspective (I think that was last August), so it is my belief that the only changes will occur once the stadium is handed over and the Club gets its hands on it. I don't think there will be anything fancy but there will be electronic display boards, so that the internal appearance can be changed for BFC and LI. As the match-day income at GP is ⅙ of sod all, the club would be missing an opportunity if it allowed you to order in food!

Thank you for the reply. Very good info. I understand perhaps with seat movement opening up WS level 0 concourse to NS is tricky. But surprised however especially with club focussing on revenue that large sections of the WS level 0 isn’t opened up more especially at full time to entice more supporters to stay considering how big it is compared to the NS (and capacity wise). I’m guessing the upper tier of WS is only restricted to level 1 of WS as should be big enough.

Climbing wall is in that corner I guess? Adults should be allowed on that, would be very entertaining

 

[westwing]

Thank you for the reply. Very good info. I understand perhaps with seat movement opening up WS level 0 concourse to NS is tricky. But surprised however especially with club focussing on revenue that large sections of the WS level 0 isn’t opened up more especially at full time to entice more supporters to stay considering how big it is compared to the NS (and capacity wise). I’m guessing the upper tier of WS is only restricted to level 1 of WS as should be big enough.

Climbing wall is in that corner I guess? Adults should be allowed on that, would be very entertaining

Unless you have a season ticket in the top tier lounges of the South Stand, you will be asked to leave the stadium pretty smartish, I reckon.

 

[hobbsy]

Unless you have a season ticket in the top tier lounges of the South Stand, you will be asked to leave the stadium pretty smartish, I reckon.

Nope, they want you to stay and spend money, particularly as access to the train station might take a while.

Granted the NS is a problem though.

 

[jlove]

Thank you for the reply. Very good info. I understand perhaps with seat movement opening up WS level 0 concourse to NS is tricky. But surprised however especially with club focussing on revenue that large sections of the WS level 0 isn’t opened up more especially at full time to entice more supporters to stay considering how big it is compared to the NS (and capacity wise). I’m guessing the upper tier of WS is only restricted to level 1 of WS as should be big enough.

Climbing wall is in that corner I guess? Adults should be allowed on that, would be very entertaining

You can't allow movement between stands for safety; the restriction is on the exit capacities in case of evacuation. There's no tiers in the WS, so you'll be free to go to the Level 0 or Level 1 concourses.

 

[jlove]

Unless you have a season ticket in the top tier lounges of the South Stand, you will be asked to leave the stadium pretty smartish, I reckon.

It is my understanding that the South stand will be accessible for 2h after a match but until they know how many in the stand will stay it may be restricted. The SS concourse (accessible for everyone in the stand) will have big screens to show later games in the main bar area at the West end. This is separate from the lounges.

 

[westwing]

Nope, they want you to stay and spend money, particularly as access to the train station might take a while.

Granted the NS is a problem though.

I'll be in the North Stand, pub it will be after each game.

 

[ruislip bee]

I'll be in the North Stand, pub it will be after each game.

The North Stand has a pub? Don't tell Nanny!

 

[nanny58]

Won’t bee there so it doesn’t matter now

 

[ruislip bee]

Won’t bee there so it doesn’t matter now

Why not it's going to be brilliant? Have you actually been down there and looked at it? Loads of pubs within 10 minutes walk.

 

[No_sting_Bee]

I have mentioned this before but is there a plan to utilises the OB area under the SW corner when not being used? Could it be for a pop up stall, bar area or for themed events. Personally I'd like it to be the only bar on the corner where most of the WSA go. I've seen similar set ups at other grounds. It quite a big area.

 

[jlove]

I have mentioned this before but is there a plan to utilises the OB area under the SW corner when not being used? Could it be for a pop up stall, bar area or for themed events. Personally I'd like it to be the only bar on the corner where most of the WSA go. I've seen similar set ups at other grounds. It quite a big area.

It's secured off from the rest of the stadium, with the only exit into the players' tunnel and the "flash interview" area. I think it would be impossible to use it on match-days, apart from its intended purpose, of course. There's certainly no way to get there from the West stand.

Raves on non-matchdays, though...

 

[No_sting_Bee]

I am referring to the where the OB vehicles park. There are big doors on the corner of SW south stand?

 

[jlove]

I am referring to the where the OB vehicles park. There are big doors on the corner of SW south stand?

So was I. Yes, there are big doors for the trucks to get in and out but, apart from that and once the doors are closed, what I wrote applies.

 

[Ace Face]

Still can't see where the pop-ups can be located. I feel a tad misled on this.

 

[Banana]

Still can't see where the pop-ups can be located. I feel a tad misled on this.

Can we all play the same nonsensical game?

Still can’t see there being more than 17,000 seats in the stadium. I feel a tad misled on this.

 

[jlove]

Still can't see where the pop-ups can be located. I feel a tad misled on this.

The South stand 'undercover' area in the SW corner, that has the TO access in it, would be the most conspicuous area.
Outside the West stand, in the SW corner, there appears to be a forecourt strip.
Outside the West stand, in the NW corner, there's forecourt with quite a lot of space... until the hotel get built.
The entire North access road will be closed off for matches.
There's quite an open area in the SE corner behind the East stand.

You can see most of these in the images on the stadium microsite.