The Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust (LOFT) has successfully renewed its nomination of BetWright Stadium as an Asset of Community Value.
ACV status is granted by the local council following an application by a community group, on the demonstration of delivering social benefit and community value to the local community. LOFT originally obtained ACV status from Waltham Forest council for the stadium in 2015 and again in 2020, which needs to be renewed every five years.
As well as offering a community ‘right to bid’ should the stadium ever be put up for sale, being relisted as an ACV continues the formal recognition that the visible presence of Leyton Orient helps further the social wellbeing and social interests of the local community.
BetWright Stadium is just one of over 50 stadia up and down the country that have been successfully listed as community assets, from non-league grounds up to Liverpool’s Anfield and Manchester United’s Old Trafford.
Leyton Orient CEO Mark Devlin said: “The club’s ambitions for a new stadium are well publicised, but for now Brisbane Road will continue to be hosting football into its tenth decade. We’re happy to support LOFT’s application for renewing ACV status.”
LOFT’s secretary Jonathan Kaye added: “We’ve welcomed the potential for a new stadium as both a community asset and an opportunity for the club to progress. Brisbane Road will be our home for at least the next five years, so whatever the future holds beyond that, LOFT continues to regard ACV status as important. It reinforces that Leyton Orient is a source of civic pride and an important part of the local community, as it looks to increase its support from the developing local area.
“LOFT’s status as a Supporters’ Trust, which is a registered society (what used to be called an Industrial and Provident Society) means that we are automatically entitled to apply for ACV status, so it falls to us to make that happen. We’re pleased to be able to do so once again with the club’s backing, and our thanks to Mark and the club for their support of our application.”