Creating a stadium fit for league football

Since 2016, Bowman Riley has worked closely with Harrogate Town AFC to transform its Wetherby Road stadium and facilities, supporting the Club through its progression into the English Football League.

Our long-standing involvement has encompassed the phased redevelopment of spectator facilities, hospitality spaces, player facilities and supporter amenities, creating a stronger matchday experience while providing the infrastructure needed to support the Club’s continued growth.

The programme has included increasing spectator capacity from 2,800 to more than 5,000, new seated and standing terraces, a new main stand, improved hospitality facilities, player changing rooms, supporter facilities and proposals for further expansion.

Stadium redevelopment

The initial redevelopment introduced three new spectator terraces and adapted the existing terraces to significantly increase capacity.

The next phase replaced the existing family stand with a new main stand, incorporating a food outlet, bar and new toilet and laundry facilities beneath the terrace.

The completion of the new main terrace in 2020 coincided with a landmark moment for the Club as Harrogate Town achieved promotion to the English Football League for the first time in its history.

Future proposals have included a new two-storey clubhouse with modern changing facilities, hospitality accommodation and elevated terrace seating, alongside improved entrance, turnstile, ticketing and staff facilities.

Hospitality

As the Club’s corporate hospitality requirements grew, Bowman Riley transformed an existing external balcony into additional enclosed space, creating room for a further 40 guests.

The existing hospitality suite was also refreshed with a new interior design scheme, creating a cohesive environment between the original and new spaces and improving the arrival, bar and dining experience for corporate guests.

Player facilities

The Club’s outdated changing facilities were transformed into a bold, contemporary environment reflecting Harrogate Town’s identity and ambitions.

A darker palette combined with the Club’s distinctive yellow creates an energetic atmosphere, while robust, easy-to-clean finishes and durable flooring respond to the demands of professional football.

Integrated storage provides players with practical space to store and charge their phones, combining functionality with a strong visual identity.

Supporter experience

An underused area within the stadium was transformed into a dedicated bar for home supporters.

The narrow space required a practical layout incorporating a substantial bar and social areas without fixed seating. A corrugated steel bar front references the industrial character of the stadium and the Club’s existing corporate stand, while the interior uses the Club’s colours to create a distinctive matchday atmosphere.

Environmental graphics reinforce the identity of the space, with large-scale diagonal graphics inspired by the angular elements of the Harrogate Town brand running across the exposed blockwork and architectural features.

A long-standing partnership

Our continued work with Harrogate Town AFC demonstrates the value of a long-term client relationship, with Bowman Riley supporting the Club through multiple stages of its development and growth.

From increasing stadium capacity and delivering new spectator facilities to improving hospitality, player and supporter spaces, each phase has responded to the Club’s evolving needs while contributing to a cohesive identity across the stadium.

Since 2016, Bowman Riley has been working with Harrogate Town Football Club to significantly redevelop its Wetherby Road CNG Stadium and grounds to support its ambition of securing promotion to the English Football League.

We have provided architecture, project management, contract administration and the role of principal designer to upgrade the player and spectator facilities in phases to aid the club’s continued success and growth.

Harrogate Town needed to expand its facilities to increase spectator capacity from 2,800 to over 5,000 to meet the ground criteria of higher football leagues.  This ambition was realised in 2020 with the introduction of new seated and standing terraces.  Additionally, the plans have involved a new two-storey clubhouse, an office building, improved hospitality areas and a new floodlighting solution.

The first phase of the redevelopment comprised the introduction of three new terraces for spectators and adaptations to their existing terraces to increase capacity.  The second phase was the replacement of the existing family stand with a new main stand including new food outlet, bar area and new toilet and laundry facilities beneath the terrace.  As the new main terrace reached completion in 2020, Harrogate Town achieved its long-term vision of reaching the English Football League for the first time in its history.

Subsequent phases will be a new office building and a new two-storey clubhouse providing modern changing facilities at pitch level in a striking new building.   The first floor of the clubhouse will provide a hospitality space with external elevated terrace seating for 128 spectators overlooking the pitch.  Additionally, we are designing a new face for the club to strengthen its existing presence replacing the existing entrance structure and included improved turnstile access, ground floor ticket area and staff offices.

The final phase will be the redevelopment of the east side of the terrace to replace the existing terrace with additional hospitality areas.