Lancashire Cricket partners with internationally renowned architectural practice, BDP
Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce a new commercial partnership with internationally renowned architectural, engineering and design practice, BDP, who have worked with the Club over the past 15 years on the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford.
BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd), who have offices worldwide, have been Lancashire Cricket’s architects since 2008 when redevelopment at Emirates Old Trafford originally commenced. Historically known as one of the world’s oldest and most historic international cricket stadiums, a decade-long, £60m redevelopment has led to a new era at Emirates Old Trafford, with a host of award-winning facilities, making it one of the most all-encompassing venues in Manchester.
2023 will mark a milestone year for the historic stadium with the latest Emirates Old Trafford redevelopment project – once again, led by BDP - which includes a 100-room hotel extension to the current Hilton Garden Inn.
BDP have also assisted the Club in the design and development of Lancashire’s second ground project, based in Farington – which was approved earlier this month, subject to final Government approval. The development will provide Lancashire Cricket with a ground, which includes two ovals, outdoor nets and a Pavilion, that can be used throughout the year with top quality facilities to ensure the continued development of our men’s and women’s professional squads, as well as our age-group and Academy programmes, whilst also providing opportunities for community use.
As part of the agreement, BDP will sponsor the Club’s networking event in Mumbai next week – as part of Thunder’s historic pre-season tour to India, where the squad will be based at Reliance Park, home of the Mumbai Indians.
The event will be at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club after the Women’s Premier League (WPL) fixture between Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz, featuring Thunder’s Sophie Ecclestone, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, where the Club will be entertaining guests. It will also include a cricket and business panel and Q&A session, which will include Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton, Thunder players Kate Cross, Alex Hartley and Ellie Threlkeld – as well as senior representatives from BDP, Manchester India Partnership and Lancashire Cricket. Ajita Hathlia, Deputy Director for FCDO Mumbai, will also be in attendance.
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive of Lancashire Cricket, said: “We have worked with BDP for a long time, so we’re thrilled that they have further enhanced their relationship with Lancashire Cricket by becoming an official partner during 2023.
“They have played a pivotal role in the £60 million redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford that we have seen over the past decade, and they are also working closely with us on the Farington second ground project, which was approved earlier this month, subject to final Government approval.
“We thank BDP for their support of our pre-season tour to India next week with Thunder – another historic moment for the Club - as we take our professional women’s set up to Reliance Park in Mumbai for a week-long training camp.”
Gavin Elliot, Principal at BDP, added: “We have worked with the team at Lancashire Cricket for over 15 years now so everyone at BDP is so proud to see Emirates Old Trafford develop into the world-class, multi-purpose venue that it is today, with further development on the horizon.
“Both BDP and Lancashire Cricket have very similar core values and have both grown significantly together over the past 15 years, so I’m delighted that we have extended that relationship by becoming a partner of the Club.
“It’s going to be a hugely exciting year working with those at Emirates Old Trafford, as we work together to deliver the new development this summer – as well as the second ground at Farington over the next couple of years.
“With a studio in the region, India is an important growth market for BDP, so I am hugely excited to go out to Mumbai next week alongside Lancashire Cricket to attend my first WPL fixture and connecting networking event.”