Small Business

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      We live by a football ground – but we’re furious at huge new change by the club… it’ll ruin our area

      by

      LOCALS living by a football ground say they’re fuming about a looming change – and they say it will ruin the area. Kassam Stadium has been the home of Oxford United for more than two decades, but that’s set to soon change.
      Locals living near Kassam Stadium say they’re fuming about a big, looming changeCredit: Alamy
      Sharon Ashby and son Cieran say they’re disappointed the stadium will no longer be Oxford United’s home groundCredit: Ross Slater
      Sally-Ann Berry, 46, said ‘it’s a shame’ the team has to goCredit: Ross Slater
      Those who live around the 12,500-seat stadium say they thought the club had no option other than to move on after its rent shot up in price.
      But Oxford United say that’s not the case – their licence to stay there is almost up, and can’t be renewed.
      Residents said they now fear their neighbourhood is going to lose its spark, and businesses will slow, without the club using the stadium.
      Sharon Ashby, 55, said having football fans around brings life to the area.
      Read more on football
      The support worker told The Sun: “I think it is a great shame. It has given people jobs and a purpose and has lifted up the whole area.”
      Son Cieran, 25, echoed his mum’s thoughts.
      He added: “It is just a great place to have a football ground.
      “There are so many fans on the estate who can walk to matches and it gives a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
      Most read in Football
      Locals say former Oxford United owner Firoz Kassam is increasing the club’s rent. He sold the club in 2006, but still owns the land.
      But the club is now looking to get a new stadium built – an idea which has been rejected by the people of Oxford.
      BBC reported of 3,000 ballots, more than 2,000 voted against the club building an 18,000-capacity stadium nearby.
      Cleaner Sally-Ann Berry, 46, also shared her disappointment that the club would be moving away.
      She said: “It is a shame it has to go.
      “It is good for the area and what is going to replace it? More flats or housing I imagine.”
      Sally-Ann said a lot of businesses “rely on match days” to keep them afloat.
      She continued: “There’s no problems here. Some fans park on the estate but they mostly knock on and ask for permission if they are next to your house. 
      “My 13-year-old goes down there with my partner but I can’t see them going to Kidlington. It is too far and if you haven’t got a car it is two bus rides and a long walk. It’s too much expense.”
      ‘IT’S A SHAME’
      For disabled fan and season ticket holder Brian Flitter, 69, the move is bad news.
      He said: “I can go on my mobility scooter and I can be in the ground within five minutes of leaving the house. 
      “I cannot take my mobility scooter in the car so it is a big blow for me and for all of us who live around here. 
      “I’m told they cannot afford the rent. It’s a shame, all of the businesses round here will suffer.”
      A worker at the local Blackbird Pub said they would be one of those.
      They said: “This pub is going to miss the football massively when it moves. It’s the same for all the businesses around here.  
      “The place is rammed on match days and they make up for the quiet times and keep us going.”
      Pub regular Alan Goodall, 70, added: “The club don’t want to go but they have to get away from Kassam.
      “He is charging them a massive rent and taking a percentage of everything else from the advertising to the beverages sold. 
      “It’s such a shame.”
      Oxford United said it was happy to hear it had a positive impression on the neighbourhood, but that it had to find a new home.
      ‘HAVE TO FIND A NEW HOME’
      The club told The Sun: “Oxford United work closely with our local community and are pleased that we have made such apositive impression on our neighbours since we moved to the Kassam Stadium in 2001.
      “Our licence to use the Kassam Stadium terminates on 30 June 2026 and does not include any renewal rights or renewal requirements within it.
      “The position is that after 30th June 2026 Oxford United will have no legal right to use or occupy the Kassam Stadium. Quite simply, we have to find a new home or the club will cease to exist.
      “We are currently negotiating with Oxfordshire County Council for a possible site in Kidlington, but this absolutely does not mean we are ending our involvement in the area around our current stadium.
      “Plans are in place to ensure we maintain strong connections with Blackbird Leys and surrounding areas of the city and we will continue to work with the local community to make sure that our positive impact continues.
      “We have developed a Community Pledge, which is available on our new stadium website and sets out our strong commitments to our current, and possible future, neighbours.
      “Our aim is to build a community-focused stadium that the whole of Oxford and Oxfordshire can be proud of while enhancing all that we currently do for local communities.
      “Oxfordshire County council is currently consulting on the potential land deal with OUFC. We hope everyone will visit Lets Talk and add their support.”
      It’s not unusual for people living near stadiums to share what it’s like to live nearby.
      Residents who live by a major stadium in Norfolk have said they are sickened by the council “declaring war” on fans.
      Read More On The Sun
      Elsewhere other local have slammed new plans to redevelop a top stadium claiming it will make their lives hell.
      Others living in the shadow of a football stadium say it’s super loud and parking can be hell – but they love it.
      Locals say stadium owner Firoz Kassam is hiking the rent – but the club claim that’s not the caseCredit: Alamy
      Disabled fan Brian Flitter says he won’t be able to go to matches when the club moves homesCredit: Ross Slater More

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Eye-watering sum Man Utd ace Marcus Rashford’s businesses make every day revealed

      by

      THREE Lions ace Marcus Rashford is proving as much of a hotshot off the pitch as on it — with his businesses making £48,000 a day.The canny star’s earnings now eclipse the £200,000-a-week wages he gets from Man United.
      Marcus Rashford’s businesses are making £48,000 a dayCredit: Getty
      The striker’s wages netted him £10.4millionCredit: Getty
      Accounts from Companies House showed his businesses made £17.7million in the 12 months to April 2022 and hold total assets of £31million.
      The striker’s wages netted him another £10.4million.
      A source said: “Marcus is a bright bloke — and very quick to spot a business opportunity. His determination and drive comes from his childhood when he struggled. And he is now as good at spotting chances off the pitch, as he is on it — as his earnings show.”
      In particular, his image rights company, MUCS Enterprises, enjoyed a good year with its assets increasing by £11million to £20.1million.
      Read More on Marcus Rashford
      Housing business MUCS Properties made a £6.5million profit and now holds £9.7million of assets.
      Kind-hearted Rashford, 25, is reportedly renting one of his properties to bankrupt former Man Utd player Wes Brown, 43, for “mates rates”.
      His third company, MUCS Investments, held £292,227 in assets as of January 2022.
      In February, we revealed that he set up a private security business of which he is sole director.
      Most read in Football
      MUCS Security is yet to file accounts.
      Rashford, who relied on breakfast clubs and free school meals while growing up as a child, was made an MBE in 2020 for his campaigning against child poverty during Covid.
      His intervention helped to force a government U-turn on free school meal vouchers for 1.3million children during the school holidays.
      A spokeswoman for Rashford was approached.
      Phil-ing his boots
      MANCHESTER City and England star Phil Foden has raked in £6.4million in two years from his image rights, according to accounts filed by his company Rondog Sports.
      The bonanza is on top of a £150,000-a-week wage packet and a lucrative boot deal with sportswear giant Nike.
      Phil Foden has raked in £6.4million in two years from his image rightsCredit: PA
      Foden, 22, is now investing some of his wealth in bricks and mortar, having set up PF Property Holdings to buy, sell and let properties. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua reveals why he WILL fight Tyson Fury and expects to do ‘good business’ with heavyweight rival

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA is not losing hope of a super-fight against Tyson Fury with big business still to be made. The pair of heavyweight rivals were in talks for a shock December 3 Battle of Britain in Cardiff.
      Anthony Joshua is not losing hope of a super-fight against Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were in talks to fight in DecemberCredit: PA
      But opposing promoters could not get a deal done in time, with Fury instead moving on to a trilogy bout with Derek Chisora.
      Joshua told DAZN: “I was supposed to be in the ring December 3. That was the date, but obviously it’s not happening.
      “I’ve got a great team. I’m someone who loves doing business, I believe in doing good business and good contracts.
      “But I have a good team and I’ve just got to leave certain things to them.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “All that other stuff, back and forth on social media, it’s quite time consuming.
      “There’s a good and a bad on social media, like anything, so it’s not annoying but you’ve got to play the game as well.
      “My dance partner, the last geezer I was supposed to fight, he’s a good dance partner.
      “He handles social media side of things. I think we’d do good business behind the scenes. It will happen.”
      Most read in Boxing
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACING
      Fury, 34, has maintained his December 3 return date against Chisora, 38, the man he beat in 2011 and 2014.
      Meanwhile Joshua, 33, is taking time out to mentally recover from his back-to-back points losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 35.
      He said: “You saw after my last fight, I swear it tore me apart. I had so much riding on it, for me, the British fans, the undisputed fight.
      “It just really tore me apart so, from a mental capacity, my close ones are telling me to rest, mentally.
      “Physically I am down to ride, I am a warrior, I like this game and I like competing.
      “But, from a mental aspect, I think people have really seen it means a lot.”
      Anthony Joshua after his rematch loss to Oleksander UsykCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More