Falmer

[Yorkie]

I hope so but could see it being part of the way through the season (similar to Doncaster) due to something unavoidable delaying us.

 

[Dover]

The new road by Stanmer worries me.

I voted maybe.

 

[The Large One]

blow your own trumpet eh?

by the way, have you got any old Airdrieonians shirts in your shop?

If so let us know and I will pop in next time I am in town and buy it!

At least I have a trumpet to blow.

 

[bhanutz]

At least I have a trumpet to blow.

what about the Airdrieonians shirt?

 

[The Large One]

Well firstly, let's make it clear I'm not criticising or doubting anyone who is working in Marting Perry's "Falmer" team. I'm sure they are doing, and will continue to do, everything they can. I think a lot of the factors that are likely (not definite, but likely) to delay the start of building are external. From the PI, I recall seeing a breakdown of where the finance is coming from. Now, I can't remember most of the sources, but I do remember there were a fair number of them. I find it hard to believe that EVERY single one of them will a) grant us the money we need, b) will pay the sponsorship we have budgeted for, and c) will do it in time. So, say we are expecting £4m-£5m for naming rights to the stadium, what if the highest bidder will only pay £3m? I'm not saying that WILL happen, but it could, and any number of similar things could go the same way. We're also relying on someone giving us one hell of a mortgage - will the banks be clamouring to lend a football club (amongst their category A most risky business ventures) £30m? I'm not saying it won't happen, far from it, we've come too far for that, but with so much out of our hands, and a ridiculously tight schedule to work to if we're to move in on time, I'd be surprised if we kick off 2010 there.

You're making it sound like everything is being done by the seat of their pants. Don't forget, people have been working on this project for YEARS, putting everything in place as best they can to a given point.

For instance, if we only get, say, £1m in naming rights, that has been factored into the business plan to the same extent than if we get, say, £5m. In answer to your question about banks (it could be any financial institution, not necessarily a bank), there are, apparently some financial institutions lining up showing interest.

If you remember on Tuesday evening, Martin Perry did say that there woud be a kind of ad hoc bidding process - not dis-similar to the tendering process regarding the actual building itself - whereby the financial institution are effectively in competition to offer the best deal possible. It sounds incredible, but that's what we were told.

When someone like PriceWaterhouseCoopers say that we have a sound business plan in place, financial institutions take note, and as a result, show interest.

Martin Perry did say it was a tight schedule, but was very achievable. I suspect that some slack has been built into the schedule in order that we open in August 2010 - any project management scheme puts that kind of contingency in place.

As to whether I think we will be in place by August 2010, I would say I have absolutely no idea - and, within a few weeks, I don't care. But what I would say is, we have a sound team in place with experience of football stadia projects, legal regulations, finance and... concrete. So, unless anyone on here has greater knowledge and experience of football stadium construction knows that this is not an achievable target, I would take the word of those with experience over people who don't for the time being.

 

[The Large One]

what about the Airdrieonians shirt?

What about it? You want one, you come into the shop and buy one.

If there's one in stock, I might sell it to you. If not, I'll order it for you.

Until then, you'll never know.

 

[ROSM]

So, say we are expecting £4m-£5m for naming rights to the stadium, what if the highest bidder will only pay £3m? .

this is one of the reasons why a business plan would never be made public. If it shows we budgeted for £4m from naming rights, the most we could ever get would be £4m.

Coventry expected £2m in naming rights and got £4m

 

[bhanutz]

What about it? You want one, you come into the shop and buy one.

If there's one in stock, I might sell it to you. If not, I'll order it for you.

Until then, you'll never know.

I simply asked if you had one?

Oh well plenty more places I could get one...

you have a great business mind TLO!

 

[The Large One]

I simply asked if you had one?

Oh well plenty more places I could get one...

you have a great business mind TLO!

Then I suggest you use the other places.

I have a quality threshold for customers. Even Crystal Palace fans rate higher than you.

 

[bhanutz]

Then I suggest you use the other places.

I have a quality threshold for customers. Even Crystal Palace fans rate higher than you.

Support local businesses eh?

well with an attitude like yours I am surprised you are still trading.

 

[The Large One]

Support local businesses eh?

well with an attitude like yours I am surprised you are still trading.

No, it's purely personal against you.

At least, I'd take it personally if I were you.

Everyone else gets pleasant service.

 

[bhanutz]

No, it's purely personal against you.

I'd take it personally if I were you.

put it this way, I wont lose any sleep over it.

Probably get it cheaper elsewhere anyhow, just thought you may want some extra business.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

this is one of the reasons why a business plan would never be made public. If it shows we budgeted for £4m from naming rights, the most we could ever get would be £4m.

Coventry expected £2m in naming rights and got £4m

That makes a lot of sense.

Any 'simple' explanations for why we can't be told how much it's going to cost?

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I doubt it.

 

[The Large One]

That makes a lot of sense.

Any 'simple' explanations for why we can't be told how much it's going to cost?

The final cost? The simplest one is that the final tender price hasn't come in from the winning contractor.

That will happen around mid-July.

 

[The Large One]

There are a lot of things to fall into place.

Derek Chapman explained some of the stuff to be signed off - and it sounds like a logistical nightmare. End of August / early September seems to be hosting the magic red letter day.

From what I could make of what he was saying, once that's in place, that's a MAJOR hurdle out of the way. After that, I would have thought that construction firms are on a bonus for completing the project on or before time, and penalties for late arrival. It is in EVERYONE's interest for it to be delivered on time.

 

[The Large One]

Sorry, maybe I'm being a dunce here, but what exactly do you mean by things are supposed to be signed off in August/September? What needs to be signed off?

All the contracts regarding everything that needs to be in place.

I can't remember half of them but Martin Perry said they include...

Proof of funding
The funding itself
The contracts with the Council, the Universities
The construction award
The stadium
The work on the railway
The work on the new access roads
Abolsutely shitloads more...

Some contracts can only be signed once others have been, which in turn are reliant on something else being in place which can only be signed when X becomes Y etc. And that's assuming all the solicitors are about to sign these contracts.