Artist's impression of Everton's new stadium & shops in Kirkby _320
TESCO remain satisfied that Everton have the money to part fund their bid to build a stadium and superstore in Kirkby, supermarket chiefs said last night.
The confident announcement came as Everton revealed they have met with some of their most vocal opponents and still see no viable alternative to their £400m plans.
Campaign group Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC), however, see the meeting with acting chief executive Robert Elstone as a softening of intentions that could spell change.
Philip Clarke, international director of Tesco, speaking to The Daily Post, said that while there are always questions about whether financial partners, in this case Everton, can pay their way, he was not concerned.
He said: “We have spoken with the club and we are satisfied with their answers.
“The majority of people seem to want this scheme, which will redevelop the town centre in Kirkby. We hope the hearing is quick and comes down on the side of the scheme and that the government comes down on the side of progress.”
Mr Elstone confirmed he met with KEIOC last week while director of communications Ian Ross met with the Community of Kirkby Liaison Group – a separate liaison group set up amid allegations that the official consultation group had excluded any dissenting voices.
Mr Elstone said: “We met with KEIOC to allow them the opportunity to present, probably for the first time on a face-to face basis, their plans for Goodison and other sites.
“My view of what was a lengthy, open and honest meeting is that there remains no answer as to how we might pay for an expensive and time-consuming re-development of Goodison, nor is there any sign of private or public sector financial support for any other project in the city.”
KEIOC spokesman Dave Kelly said: “We facilitated a meeting between (KEIOC member) Tom Hughes and Trevor Skempton, who is the architect behind Newcastle United and Liverpool One.
“They discussed a couple of redevelopment options including a ground share and the redevelopment of Goodison.
“It’s clearly a softening of attitude since Wyness left.”
