27/06/2023 - Local residents and businesses thanked as Luton prepares for Premier League Football

However, before this can happen, significant work needs to be undertaken in and around Kenilworth Road to ensure the ground and match day requirements meet Premier League standards. This work is already well underway and includes a major upgrade of the Bobbers Stand.

The Council’s Building Control team will be overseeing the works. It will be responsible for providing the Safety Certificate to the club to certify that the works are satisfactory and the stadium is safe to use.

Premier League football also means changes for match days and games times will also vary due to television schedules, but these will be communicated with as much notice as possible.

Our teams, from building control, emergency planning, highways, neighbourhood services, parking and neighbourhood enforcement to licensing and food services, each have key roles to play in ensuring all the works can be completed safely and on time and that match days are safe. We would like to thank local residents in advance for their patience towards any disruption some of these works may cause.

The LTFC Safety Advisory Group, a multi-agency partnership led by the council, will be the overseeing body to ensure home matches are safe and both sets of fans have a good match day experience.

Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton Council, said: “The remarkable achievement of Luton Town Football Club achieving Premier League status means the international spotlight will be on Luton, which presents us with many exciting opportunities. The football club’s success has given us a chance to showcase the best of our town, improve our reputation and ultimately open the door for more investment that will benefit our local communities. Local residents and businesses will have a big role to play in this success.

“I know the significant works required at the stadium will cause some disruption and inconvenience to some residents and businesses in the area over the coming weeks. I have been assured that this will be kept to a minimum. I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation and I do apologise for any inconvenience.

Cllr Javed Hussain, portfolio holder for Sustainable Development and Highways, said: “With a lot of activity and large trucks coming back and forth down the narrow streets in and around the stadium, our enforcement teams will be having an increased presence to ensure safe passage and to prevent any unnecessary hold ups. We are also planning road improvement works at the same time.

“We will be writing to residents and businesses in the area over the coming weeks with more details and a dedicated email address has been set up if anyone has concerns or questions.”

Gary Sweet, Chief Executive of Luton Town FC, commented: “We sincerely appreciate all of the support we’ve been receiving from everyone at the Council to help us deliver this huge task of  upgrading Kenilworth Road. Likewise, our longstanding relationships with residents and the wider Bury Park community are now key to getting us to a point at the start of the season where we can all welcome the global spotlight on Luton. We have always said the club is an integral part of the local community and this is being demonstrated now more than ever.”

A report will be going to Full Council later this month asking to approve additional unavoidable one-off funding for the council to pay for the additional resource required for this work.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the works can email [email protected]