VIDEO | Kop plans revealed by Wrexham

Football club Wrexham AFC plans to build a 5,500-capacity stand as a cornerstone of the Racecourse Ground’s redevelopment.

A design team led by AFL Architects and also including Gardiner & Theobald, Ramboll, Savills and Royal Pilgrim has worked on the scheme, with plans to be submitted following consultation in July.

The plans sit within a broader project, Stadium for the North, which aims to make the historic Racecourse a venue that meets statutory requirements to host international football and rugby.

Levelling Up Fund support is being sought for the Wrexham Gateway development as part of this, with the stand project joined by a 400-space multistorey car park, and groundworks for a convention centre and hotel.

Wrexham failed to secure a return to the Football League in May’s playoffs, but with the backing of their Hollywood owners, will start next season as heavy favourites to win the National League.

In presenting images outlining the Kop project, co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds said: “Back in February 2021, when we first became custodians of the club, it was identified that reverting the Racecourse Ground to a four-sided stadium was a priority for us.

“The desire to achieve this objective has only been multiplied by the fact that the sold-out signs were a regular feature at the Racecourse Ground, and we want the club to be accessible to everyone, so the increased capacity is key to achieving this.

“We would encourage everyone to support the planning application when it is submitted and would like to thank Wrexham Council, Welsh Government & Wrexham Glyndwr University (together the Gateway Partnership) who are fully committed to making the new Kop a reality.”

AFL was appointed in May last year as the owners looked to revamp the Racecourse.

The stand will include a hospitality lounge, office & retail space for the club and the Wrexham AFC Community Trust.

Of the capacity, 5,000 places will be “rail seating” meaning they can be used for standing at club games, but also comply with the all-seater criteria of UEFA’s Category 4 status.

The balance of 500 seats will be “of a corporate style” with direct access from the hospitality lounge. Accessible seating will be available at elevated positions throughout the stand. The matchday concourse area will become an exhibition space for events on non-matchdays.

The month-long consultation period will begin on 1 July.