(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
David Gower and former MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw are leading efforts to purchase the land surrounding the Nursery End at Lord’s by offering members of the public the opportunity to buy shares.
The New Commonwealth consortium Gower and Bradshaw are involved in are selling shares at £500 each in order to raise funds to buy the land off leaseholder Charles Rifkind.
In recent years the property developer has been looking to sell the land in order to build luxury apartments behind the media centre at Lord’s, with MCC members rejecting the plans by 90% in a vote last year.
With Lord’s boasting ground redevelopment plans of their own worth £200m, other avenues to raise funds have been considered with the selling of shares just one chosen route.
Non-executive chairman of New Commonwealth, Gower said: “Some of my fondest memories are from playing in this ground, so I’m delighted that people from across the world will be able to join me and purchase their own piece of this historic and iconic ground.
“The pride, profits and benefits of property investment has been the preserve of the few for too long, so I’m delighted to work with New Commonwealth to give everyone a chance to own part of these magnificent locations.”
In addition to Gower, cricket legends from across the globe are due to lend their backing to the scheme, including Sir Clive Lloyd, Allan Lamb, and Sir Viv Richards.
