Chamber welcomes new stadium for LUFC

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce today welcomes the news that approval to expand Elland Road has been granted.

Leeds City Council gave the green light to increase the capacity at Leeds United’s stadium to 53,000, creating one of the largest club stadiums in the country.

The move means that Elland Road has been elevated to UEFA Category 4 status, meaning that Leeds will be able to bid to host major international tournaments and events.

The new stadium is forecast to generate around £29 million a year for the Leeds City Region economy supporting jobs, local businesses and long-term investment.

Enabling works will commence immediately, with major construction following the end of the current season.

Leeds United are patron members of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the chamber lobbied for the expansion plans to be approved.

Aqila Choudhry, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, said: “Leeds United Football Club is, and has been for decades, one of Britain’s biggest sports organisations.

“It is arguably the city’s best-known institution and brings attention to the city like no other organisation in the city can. Its scale is international and its present owners not only wish for it to remain a Premier League club, but also one that can compete at European level.

“It is therefore wonderful news that the football club will now have a stadium to match its stature.

“We congratulate both the club and the council on this vision for our city’s future.”