‘We’ve Been Working Very Hard To Survive’ – The Impacts Of Tottenham’s Stadium Delay On Local Residents And Businesses
History in the making. Tottenham played their last match at White Hart Lane on the 14th of May 2017. It had been standing for 118 years, but the North London club were set to embark on a journey, one that would provide them with a £1b state-of-the-art stadium, taking them towards the elite of European football.
While the new stadium began its construction, Tottenham moved to Wembley, where a series of painful semi-final and final defeats had previously led to the notion of the “Wembley curse”.
They did indeed struggle initially, but the team has subsequently settled, producing some exquisite football, including a 3-1 thumping of European giants and Champions League holders, Real Madrid. Regardless, Wembley has never truly felt like home for the Tottenham players or fans.
This is a sentiment now particularly pertinent. The media and public alike were made aware that the new stadium would open in September. The date was subsequently pushed back to December and now to 2019.
Much of the talk has focussed on both the players and fans, but it’s the local residents and businesses that have suffered most. Below is a video outlining how they have been affected.
When the new stadium will open remains to be seen. But for the fans, and especially the local residents and businesses, everyone is looking for a speedy resolution.
Featured photograph/ Matt Davies
