Millwall get the green light for a 999-year lease for The Den, a 34,000-seat stadium expansion and new homes in its surrounding area.
The terms of the lease were formally approved by Lewisham Council’s Mayor and Cabinet during a meeting held on the 8th of May.
Under the new lease, Millwall will be able to continue operating at The New Den and will also have the opportunity to initiate development projects in the vicinity of the stadium.
These projects are part of a larger regeneration plan for the area, and additionally, the lease guarantees space for the Millwall Community Trust, an organisation dedicated to enhancing the lives of young individuals in Lewisham, Southwark, and the broader Millwall community through sports.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in enabling the Club to move forward with its plans for the surrounding area.
Millwall Football Club will now proceed with the development of its proposals and subsequently submit them to the appropriate planning authority.
A landmark development agreement has been reached between #Millwall Football Club and @LewishamCouncil, following the Council’s Mayor and Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 8th May.
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) May 9, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
A landmark development agreement has been reached between Millwall Football Club and Lewisham Council, following the Council’s Mayor and Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 8th May.
The agreement, which grants a new 999-year lease, allows the club to move forward with its exciting ambitions for the redevelopment of the land surrounding The Den, bringing to life the club’s long-term plans of the wider regeneration of New Bermondsey, which includes residential development.
This historic moment cements the legacy of John Berylson, and demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our chairman, James Berylson, and his family to both Millwall and the community.
The new lease agreement ensures Millwall Football Club remains at the heart of its local community, and extends to providing exciting opportunities to enhance the supporters’ matchday experience, develop new and existing revenue streams, and fulfil its huge potential on non-matchdays.
The club would like to thank Lewisham Council for their assistance and positive support to date.
Speaking about this major step forward, Millwall Football Club Chairman, James Berylson, said: “We are delighted that Lewisham Council has offered Millwall Football Club a new, long lease that will permit us to bring forward development plans in New Bermondsey for residential accommodation, a new community, and an ambitious football club.
I am particularly grateful to Lewisham Mayor, Brenda Dacres, and her predecessor, Damien Egan MP, both of whom offered friendship and support to Millwall and acknowledged our ambitions for the local community and our Club.
‘My family’s involvement with Millwall goes back almost 20 years. My father, John Berylson – who tragically died last year – from the outset had a vision and an ambition for the football club and its local community.
It has taken us a long time to reach this turning point but my father’s passion and dogged determination never dimmed and it’s a great sadness to all of us that he is not here today to witness this milestone moment in the Club’s history.
‘Alongside the significant new opportunities for Millwall, I see important new benefits for Lewisham and its residents. A new community with upgraded accommodation will generate higher living standards and a better quality of life. Greater prosperity will also increase returns to the Borough through new commercial, social and employment opportunities.
‘This landmark decision by Lewisham Council secures a long-term future for Millwall in the borough and, equally importantly, protects and enhances the Millwall Community Trust and its vital charitable activities in south-east London. Together with Lewisham Council, we can now start putting in place plans for improving The Den and its facilities, thereby enhancing spectator experience.
‘I took over as Chairman almost a year ago and I am now setting out new ambitions for Millwall and its community. At the heart of those ambitions is, of course, playing great football and I want us to be serious challengers for Premier League status. Why not? We came to within striking distance of the play-offs 12 months ago.”
Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, added: “We are delighted to have reached a positive outcome, with a new, long-term lease that secures Millwall’s future in the borough. This has been a long process, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to work together to secure the relocation of facilities for the Millwall Community Trust and support our shared ambitions for this part of Lewisham.
“I look forward to working with Millwall Football Club on their plans for the land around the Stadium, to unlock much needed homes as well as new leisure and community spaces.
“Both Millwall Football Club and the Millwall Community Trust contribute immensely to our local community and provide life-changing opportunities for so many in our borough. We look forward to continuing to support their important work.”
The club will continue to keep supporters up-to-date with further developments as and when they occur.
Further information about the New Bermondsey redevelopment, the history leading up to this announcement, and more is available by clicking here.
Twitter users gave their reaction as Millwall get the green light for a 34,000-seat stadium expansion and new homes…
@DarthAlcoholic: Wonderful news for our great football club and a fitting tribute to the hard work of JB and diligence of many Millwall fans. Hopefully the start of something for us and the local area.
@timgfox: For a long time it looked like Millwall were going to have to move. I never thought I’d be saying this but ‘well done Lewisham council’!
@ed__castl3: FILL IN THE CORNERS! YOU’RE IN MY SEAT! GIVE THE TOURISTS THE NORTH LOWER!
@EssexLions1: Great news for the club and the local community. Well done 👏🏻
@BL10CBL: Get in!!! JB’s Legacy Continues #Millwall
@Bow_tie_luke: Good news all round that this has been formally ‘agreed’ at the council meeting #Millwall
@AchtungMillwall: This is fantastic news by Lewisham & brings a final close the ‘Battle of the Den’. A fight which, when it began back in 2016, looked a very bleak one, victory a was a long way off indeed… I want to say well done to everyone involved in the AMS effort, without whom etc …👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@mavery1986: Fantastic news, very excited for what the future holds now. 🦁 🦁
@philclarke0170: Huge news for the club & a genuine opportunity now to progress. The pendulum of pressure swings from LBL to #Millwall to submit planning & ensure the club is at the centre of this golden opportunity. Well done to the fans, all at the club and the board for making this happen.
@_Jampot: Great news and some sense finally seen. Fancy sponsoring a shirt? 👀
@weuu_: Perfect time to replace huski chocolate with Lewisham as kit sponsor
@TerryS1977: This is amazing news for Millwall. After a long fight against some corrupt council officials we have finally won. This was JBs dream, COYL
Massive for the future of the club. https://t.co/CXN0qFdVJQ pic.twitter.com/xYhWg809sR
— TT (@MillwallTT) May 9, 2024
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