Plans and appointments unveiled for £18m Fylde sports village

Further plans for the £18m development at Mill Farm Sports Village on the Fylde have been revealed.

The Sports Village, which is due for completion in summer 2016, will include a 290 capacity cutting-edge sports bar,; an 80-seat restaurant with roof terrace; a 40 seat café; and conference & event facilities across nine rooms which provide flexible meeting and event space for between two to 300 persons.

Heading up this mammoth leisure facility will be renowned hospitality expert David Chell, who has joined as CEO from Manchester City Football Club, where he was instrumental in the historic move of the club from Maine Road to the Etihad Stadium.

David brings with him a wealth of experience in sporting venue hospitality, working at many of the UK’s premier sporting venues including Wembley Stadium, Lords, Royal Ascot and Twickenham to name a few.

David lives locally on the Fylde Coast and is enjoying his new challenge. He said: “The Mill Farm Sports Village is a hugely exciting development which I’m relishing being a part of. It’s an ambitious project, the likes of which has not been seen locally.

“There’s a lot to do and every day the pace picks up. We’re still finalising plans and specifics, but we’re really excited by what we’re going to be launching next year. This complex will be for the community and we’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone; from brides & grooms, to sports fans, community groups and businesspeople. We have something on offer for everyone and want the place to be buzzing day in, day out.”

Joining David as food & beverage manager is another well-known, award-winning operator, Bevan Middleton, who joins Mill Farm Sports Village from Ribby Hall. Bevan has spent three decades in the hospitality and catering industry working at all levels at 4/5 star hotels, cruise liners and Michelin star restaurants.

Bevan, who also lives on the Fylde Coast said: “I’m really enjoying being involved in this venture from the beginning. This venue will be truly unique to the area and it’s going to be my mission to make sure it meets and beats expectations for guests from day one.”

At the heart of the complex will be a 6,000 capacity stadium which will be the new home of AFC Fylde. Also on-site will be top-class 5 and 7-a-side pitches for community use. Chairman of AFC Fylde and owner of the Mill Farm Sports Village complex, David Haythornthwaite added: “This venue is not just about football and AFC Fylde. It will be a ground-breaking facility for the whole community to use and enjoy. We’re keen to attract all sorts of sports and all sorts of events. It will be something completely new for the region, which will bring jobs and further investment to the local area. I’m delighted David and Bevan have joined me. I couldn’t wish for better experience and enthusiasm to help make this project a reality.”