Everton's owners, The Friedkin Group, are in negotiations to acquire the dock next to Everton Stadium for another "sports-led redevelopment" as the Club prepares to complete the move into its new home later this year.

With the purchase of Bramley-Moore Dock from Peel Holdings for £30m, construction of the Blues' new 52,888-seater ground began with the dredging and infilling of the dock in the Vauxhall area of Liverpool in 2021.

The build phase was completed in December, with contractors Laing O'Rourke handing over the keys to the Club top manage the final fit-out of the interior. A second test event will be held this month in preparation for Everton Stadium to host its first Premier League fixture in August.

Having taken the club over at the end of last year, TFG have been eyeing development opportunities in the area around Bramley-Moore Dock, much of which has been derelict for decades, and they see the adjacent Nelson Dock as valuable real estate.

There have been reports that the dock could be used as a floating car park while the location has been mooted for an expanded sporting complex akin to Manchester City's sprawling campus linked to the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking at this year's MIPIM conference, Everton's stadium director and interim CEO, Colin Chong, admitted that he has always coveted Nelson Dock and described how TFG would like to purchase the site from Peel:

“There was always an idea that we might be able to develop a complementary development to support the stadium’s development.

“Our new ownership has tasked me with looking for a sports-led redevelopment that could be accommodated on Nelson Dock, and maybe even further if we can get the right partners to invest.

“We are currently going through a fact-finding mission, carrying out surveys, and hopefully we will have some information back in the next month or two.”

“Our owners are very keen to secure Nelson Dock because they believe they’ll do something good with it regardless – that’s their mindset, which is a breath of fresh air.

“If I was given a wish list, that would be on the top of it, secure Nelson Dock and protect the asset that we’ve just developed."

Reader Responses

Selected thoughts from readers
Certain off-topic comments may be removed to keep the discussion on track

1  Jay Harris
14/03/2025    17:55:17

Football themed hotel, restaurants and bars including a sports bar with pool, snooker and darts in anticipation of the population growth of the 10 streets developments and the time Evertonians will take to get away from BMD.

2  Dennis Stevens
14/03/2025    20:00:55

Very encouraging to see some ambition & vision under TFG, it bodes well.

3  Jack Plant
14/03/2025    22:15:48

Like the sound of this, joined up thinking about how to get the most out of the new ground

4  Matt Traynor
15/03/2025    07:41:43

I don't think it will be comparable to what City have done, the relative spaces are vastly different. However I agree with Jay #1 - far better to develop secondary revenue opportunities which will also improve the matchday experience for some supporters.

It'll end up as a monorail depot then.

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