Luton's payout to neighbours to get £10m stand ready for Premier League bow
Luton christen their £10 million Bobbers Stand on Friday night after offering sweeteners to the neighbours to apologise for the disruption of building work.
The Hatters turned on a charm offensive with householders, residents' groups and the council to finish the rebuilt stand - complying with Premier League minimum standards - in just 13 weeks. As recompense for the 24/7 works to install 1,053 extra public seats for the live TV date with West Ham, they even offered compensation for the noise.
Chief executive Gary Sweet, who has presided over the ambitious building project after Luton's return to the top flight after a 31-year absence, said: "We haven’t paid a specific amount to households.
"We are engaged with residents groups and the council on a number of community activities, and we also gave 150 tickets to our neighbours for Gillingham game (in the Carabao Cup, which served as a test event) on Tuesday night."
Converting a row of executive boxes into a new stand incorporating a media centre, fixed TV camera positions and VAR technology has increased the ground's capacity initially by 10 per cent to 11,050. But it will rise again after the international break.
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Luton were given special dispensation by the Premier League to postpone their scheduled opening home game, against Burnley, two weeks ago in order to complete the building project. They have also been permitted to play this season without undersoil heating, which is normally a condition of entry to the top flight.
Luton, who defeated Coventry in last season's Championship play-off final, are yet to pick up their first Premier League point. The Hatters were thumped 4-1 at Brighton on the opening day and suffered a 3-0 loss at Chelsea last time out.
Luton have built a new stand to comply with the Premier League's regulations (Getty Images)Do you think Luton will stay up? Let us know in the comments below!
Yet Luton should be far more competitive at Kenilworth Road. "You know, I know and everyone connected to the club knows what's coming on Friday and I want to hear it," said manager Rob Edwards. "We've got to bring the football side, but judging what the fans have been like away from home, I can't wait to see what they produce on Friday night.
"We need (an atmosphere like playing) Watford, or Sunderland in the (play-off) semi-final, times 10. That's what we're going to need this year and I think everyone's ready to give that as well. After Chelsea, that was incredible. I've not seen that before, especially a team that's lost a game.
"The feelgood factor around the place is incredible. Everyone's together, everyone knows the challenge we've got, everyone knows it's going to be difficult, but everyone's with us and supporting us. We're going to need that."
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