Everton fans are set to be offered the chance to have a meaningful say in the shaping of their matchday experience at the proposed new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The club is keen to gauge fan opinion on how life at the new home for Everton should be, with a survey set to be sent out to a wide-spanning range of Toffees on how aspects such as season tickets and hospitality packages should be managed.
Everton are still waiting for planning permission from Liverpool City Council to be granted after the process of community and council consultation came to an end in October. The proposed plans would take the Blues to the city’s waterfront, overlooking the River Mersey.
The survey will also offer a chance for fans to have their say on the likes of food and drink selections, potential safe standing solutions and much more.
It should be noted that any information in the survey is purely for research purposes and is not representative of any final decisions or concrete ideas that will be implemented – but the responses could have a tangible outcome on decisions made regarding prices and other aspects of matchday experiences.
In a message to Evertonians, the Director of Stadium Development Colin Chong said:
“I wanted to let you know that, over the coming days, you will be contacted with the opportunity to take part in some research that could help shape our ticketing plans at our proposed new stadium.
“While our new stadium team are busy finalising the requirements for a planning determination, we can focus on the exciting stage of testing some of our ideas and concepts as we aim to broaden our future matchday offer to suit the needs of all our supporters.
“The results of this survey will provide us with information about your matchday habits and routines, the areas of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock you may prefer to sit in, your views on safe standing, the different levels of hospitality that could be provided and the type of catering and entertainment you would like to see in the stadium and the Fan Plaza.
“As you go through the survey, I am sure you will appreciate the differences and opportunities a new stadium gives us. You will be able to learn more about some of the new concepts we’d like to test, such as ‘Seasonal Premium Seat Memberships’.
“You will also see that we are considering ‘Loge Seating’. This concept has been popular in the US and would be a first in the Premier League.”
As for who is eligible to complete the survey, the Liverpool Echo claimed it will extend to ‘season ticket holders, club members, and those who have recently bought tickets for singular matches through the club’. Indeed, it seems as though anyone who has engaged in more recent matchdays and may be eligible to have a meaningful say.
Read Everton Verdict
The initiative is a great way to directly engage with fans in a meaningful way, meaning Evertonians can truly have their say on the future of their football club.
Moreover, the club itself will likely avoid unnecessary controversy through pricing points and experimental crowd ideas, as any final implementations will have a legitimate basis among the Toffees’ fan base.
It seems to be a fantastic move by the club for all involved, and one which many fans are likely to appreciate.
