QPR have not ruled out the prospect of moving into the Linford Christie Stadium as tenants.
The Championship club have been exploring the possibility of leaving Loftus Road for the past 20 years.
After several failed attempts at securing sites, QPR have concluded that the athletics stadium provides their last chance of remaining within Hammersmith & Fulham.
The club would ideally look to buy the land and develop their own stadium at the site, which is just one mile from Loftus Road. However, a consultation document released by the council has outlined how the construction of a multi-purpose entertainment arena with a capacity of up to 45,000 would be most profitable.
It estimates a surplus of £41.3million could be generated over 10 years, while two similar designs with smaller capacities would make money too.
In those scenarios, it is assumed that development costs would be funded through a long-term income funding arrangement with an institutional investor. As is common practice, the council would grant a lease to the investor, who would grant a 50-year lease back to them. On completion of that agreement, the council would be required to make lease payments back to the investor, which would be covered through events on site.
Crucially, the council could protect its position by entering into sub-leases with operators and tenants who would guarantee to make set payments. QPR could fall into this category and Standard Sport understands such a scenario has not been ruled out by the club.
The council has launched a 12-week public consultation outlining the options for the future of the Linford Christie site.
QPR fans, though, are clear about what they want to happen and Jeremy Gardner, vice-chair of QPR1st Supporters’ Trust, told Standard Sport: “It would be a loss to the borough if the club could not stay in Hammersmith & Fulham.
“We have played at Loftus Road or at White City for 100 years. We have been here longer than the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham has existed. We are part of the history, community and business life of the borough. It would be a sad day if QPR was forced to leave its home town.
“With the need to revive the Linford Christie stadium site, QPR could play a big role. It’s not just a football club, it’s a responsible community organisation and its QPR in the Community Trust has been brilliant in developing projects to support young and older people across west London.”
