At the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 3 August, members received a further update on the future of the Shay Stadium in Halifax.
Ensuring the long-term future of the Shay Stadium is one of the Council’s priorities, with the transparency of this process key for the Council’s Cabinet.
Discussions have been taking place to secure a sustainable financial solution to the running of the stadium, led by the Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Assets and Resources, Cllr Mike Payne, in partnership with the Cabinet Member for Public Services, Cllr Peter Hunt.
Following an open process, expressions of interest have now been received from three organisations seeking to take on a long-term role in the management and development of the stadium. They are:
- Halifax Panthers / Calderdale Community Stadium Consortium – seeking a long-term lease, supported by a staged transition process. Their vision is to ensure the Shay meets the needs of the professional clubs whilst expanding opportunities for community sport, education, health and wellbeing initiatives, business activity, leisure uses and broader regeneration benefits for the area.
- Halifax FC Women’s Club in partnership with an advisory group based in Dubai – proposing along-term lease to establish the Shay as a permanent home for women’s football in the town, while creating an inclusive, multi-purpose community hub for the borough including health, education and events use.
- Stewart and Beverly Charnock-Bates – proposing a Community Benefit Society model focusing on operating the Shay on a not-for-profit basis, securing the stadium’s long-term future while increasing community access. The proposal highlights a commitment to delivering measurable social, economic and environmental benefits, ensuring that community outcomes remain at the heart of the stadium’s operation and development.
The business cases will be reviewed by the two Cabinet members with support from relevant Council officers, as appropriate. The submissions will be thoroughly evaluated in readiness for a decision to be made at the meeting of Cabinet in October 2026.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Assets and Resources, Cllr Mike Payne, said:
“Following the 2 August deadline for expressions of interest in the running of the Shay Stadium, I was keen to provide an update on the situation, and the process and timescales for a decision on the stadium’s future.
“I’m pleased that we have received three full proposals, each offering a different vision for the Shay, but all recognising its importance as a valued community asset.
“We will now carefully consider each submission, considering a range of factors including financial viability, commitment to the clubs currently playing at the Shay, community engagement, spectator experience and the overall approach to operating the stadium.
“We all want a bright future for the Shay, ensuring that the key facility supports professional sport in Calderdale and brings benefits for local people. We’ll continue to provide updates as we consider the best long-term solution for the stadium and Calderdale as a whole.”