Work has started on an exciting £1.5m football facility to provide seven indoor pitches. It’s hoped the Soccer Factory, on the old Thrislington Partitions site on Aycliffe Business Park, will open for business later this year.
The landlords of the building have invested a significant amount of cash to enable the project to start.
The Soccer Factory, given planning consent in February 2012, will provide seven 3g five-a-side courts, as well as a brand new health and fitness suite, multipurpose studio, a café/ bar and a sports injury clinic.
It will bring 15 new jobs and along with other leisure facilities on the Business Park ensure Aycliffe attracts people from the whole of South West Durham area.
Managing Director Dan Lewis is the driving force behind the ambitious plans which had setbacks, but he’s de-lighted that the first of a three-phase programme is under way, with the refurbishment of the old unit well into its six-week schedule.
“We’ve had exciting negotiations over recent weeks with the landlords who have invested a significant sum ” said Dan who expects the project to take 16-20 weeks and be open before Christmas.
“It’s hugely exciting and something we think will be very popular – something for people and the business community to buy into, and we feel this will be a great development for Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area.”
Dan has been frustrated by a number of set-backs since planning permission was granted by Durham County 16 months ago.
He explained: “A huge project like this involves a significant amount of money, and it’s not an easy time for people financially.
“There’s been a lot of people very excited about the prospect, although admittedly there’s been one or two frustrations when it’s come to the point of exchanging contracts, but now we’re where we need to be, and it’s very exciting.”
Follow the progress of The Soccer factory on Twitter @ThSoccerFactory and Facebook www.facebook.com/TheSoccerFactoryLtd
