Tycoon in site hunt after sale snub over stadium

Businessman Assem Allam had proposed developing a complex including a hotel, tennis, squash and gymnastics facilities, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a multi-storey car park around the stadium in the city’s West Park.

But Mr Allam said talks were at an end after Hull Council made it clear the stadium was not for sale and the adjoining Walton Street car park, used to stage the Hull Fair, was not negotiable.

Mr Allam, who with his son Ehab has a reported personal fortune of £150m, finalised a £40m takeover of Hull City last year.

He said he had offered “a present” which was refused and added: “It is the end of the road for any discussion or meeting with Hull City councillors.”

But Mr Allam said he would be pressing ahead with alternative plans for a £161m stadium and sports village at Melton. “Melton is the most suitable site unless East Riding Council can come up with a better alternative,” he said.

When the plans were first announced in May, fans signalled their preference for a sports village at the KC Stadium.

The city council’s portfolio holder for leisure and culture, Terry Geraghty, said they had had an amicable three-hour meeting but could not agree to give Mr Allam the stadium “for almost nothing.”

Coun Geraghty recalled the time a decade ago when the gates of the club’s former ground Boothferry Park were locked. He said: “By keeping the stadium in public ownership, that would never happen again. If the club went pear-shaped and the leaseholder went pear-shaped, it would not affect the actual ground.

“We are safeguarding the stadium for the rest of its lifespan.”

The Liberal Democrats criticised the fact there was to be no referendum on the plans, as promised by Labour councillors, including council leader Steve Brady.‪

Party deputy leader Coun Mike Ross said it was the new Labour administration’s latest U-turn.

He said: “This is another broken promise since Labour got back. They have already U-turned on free school meals and keeping care homes open and now they will not let local people have their say on the KC stadium.”‪