Man City unveils fan zone plans

Manchester City FC has revealed the first part of its stadium redevelopment plans with the creation of an entertainment zone designed by architects BDP.

The project, known as City Square, is being launched on Monday 23 August at 5pm, just before the club's first home Premier League game against Liverpool.

City Square will be located on Joe Mercer way outside the Citystore. In addition to being a place for families to congregate before matches, it will also provide fans with entertainment with giant media screens streaming specially edited and live video content, while the club's community arm, City in the Community, will provide match day activities for children.

The entertainment zone will also include the Summerbee and Star bar, and The Blue Moon cafe under the cover of waterproof canopies.

John Doyle, BDP's project director, said: "City Square is all about extending the pre-match build-up and excitement outside of the stadium and onto the surrounding concourse to bring fans together in a fanzone specially designed for their entertainment.

"We think this facility is really the first one of its kind in English football and we look forward to sharing in the future success of City Square."

The football club said City Square will also be used for non-match day events to provide entertainment and hospitality for up to 5,000 customers and will have direct links to the new Metrolink station which opens in 2012.

In March, Manchester City FC, Manchester City Council, and New East Manchester signed a formal agreement to collaborate together and aim at creating a transformation plan for east Manchester, focussed on the area around the City of Manchester stadium.

The three parties have a combined interest of land, consisting of around 200 acres, which includes the existing Sportcity campus and 59-acres in Openshaw West owned by Manchester City Football Club.

Manchester City FC's owners are understood to be progressing with a £1bn sports and leisure complex at the City of Manchester stadium, designed by architect Rafael Viñoly.