Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday stadiums prepare for spectator return
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Safety certificates for Sheffield Wednesday’s ground at Hillsborough and Sheffield United’s ground at Bramall Lane were issued by the council’s chief licensing officer and a meeting of the licensing committee discussed plans to allow fans back in the grounds.
The stadiums need to have their certificates assessed every year to comply with the law but this year they have some changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Hide AdMatt Proctor, sports grounds and events lead licensing officer at the council, said as games are currently taking place without spectators they have removed some audience conditions and put normal assessments on hold, with the expectation things could change very quickly on order of the government.
He added the government plans to see at least some spectators come back to Sheffield's football stadiums by October 1 and that they are doing all they can to help them prepare.
Mr Proctor said: “Ordinarily in the summer months we would ask South Yorkshire Police, the fire service, ambulance, health and safety officers, amongst others, to carry out inspections and produce a report.
“Quite clearly that hasn’t been able to happen this year, they are still programmed to happen as soon as people are up and working but we took the view that because there are no spectators in the stadiums safety issues are reduced significantly.
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Hide Ad“There’s nothing significantly different other than we have taken out the provision of alcohol and mostly spectator related conditions because there are no spectators there at the moment, we fully hope and expect once we get back to spectators in the stadiums then we will be reverting more or less to last year’s certificate.
“I’ve got a meeting arranged with one of the clubs on Wednesday to start to discuss what their proposals might be for at least a gradual return.
"The infrastructure in both grounds should be capable of coping with 32-35,000 spectators respectively so we have no real concern about the amount of toilets and concessions but obviously with increased social distancing those are the sorts of plans each ground will need to put together for our approval.
“In the event the government announce we can go back to full capacity almost immediately we will be working night and day to try and get the safety certificates ready so we can get Sheffield back into stadiums."
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Hide AdWhen the government decides to change its coronavirus regulations, the council will reassess the certificates and can only allow fans in once these are complete.
Stephen Lonnia, chief licensing officer at the council, added: "We’re prepared. Matt is already organising meetings with both clubs to start thinking about what is going to happen and certainly our health protection service are all aware that it’s coming.
"I do think the new season is due to start in September so we are going to have to be ready for it whatever and make sure things are in place. If we’re not, then obviously they will continue to play behind closed doors until a new safety certificate is ready, we can’t let supporters in if we’re not sure they are safe.”