Celtic pins hopes on stadium hotel
Celtic Football & Athletic Club looks set to become the latest football club to enter the hotel trade, with a planning application likely to be approved in the next two weeks.
The club has applied to build a 12-bedroom hotel and fitness suite, part of a £5m development under its new East Stand.
"We want to make the stadium active 365 days a year and this is one way to help us achieve this," said Charles Martin, capital projects manager at the club.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the planning application should be decided by the end of the month. The only area in which the council wanted clarification was parking provision, he added.
Meanwhile, a source close to the club told Caterer approval of the planning application was crucial because without it Celtic could not apply for European Commission funding to help it finish the East Stand.
"The law says the club can't get a grant to fit out and finish the stand if it's just a football stand, so it is applying to build the hotel which it will then use to justify an application for financial aid," he said.
l Two hotels and a number of restaurants are to form part of Bolton Sports Village, which will also provide a new home for Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
The development is being carried out by Emerson Developments and will also include a multiplex cinema, bowling alley and family entertainment centre. The football ground is set for completion by autumn next year.