Report: Taxpayers will foot bill for games when West Ham moves to Olympic Stadium
Taxpayers will reportedly be forced to keep their wallets open after West Ham United moves into the Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
West Ham's relocation from Upton Park triggered public fury, as it was announced in June that the total cost of converting Olympic Stadium into a new home for the club, which is being funded by taxpayers to a large extent, stands at £701 million.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) initially declared the overall bill would be only £272 million.
Related: Overall bill for Olympic Stadium soars to more than £700 million
However, taxpayers will reportedly be forced to continue paying for the stadium even after West Ham relocates next season, as the club will not be paying for a number of its services.
Here's a list of the expenses for which, according to Amy Lewis of Sky Sports, taxpayers will be footing the bill:
- Ticket checkers
- Medical staff
- Cleaners
- Turnstile operators
- Much of security, steward personnel, catering staff
In September, a local information commissioner granted a request made by a coalition of football supporters' trusts to release the full financial details of the rental agreement between West Ham and the LLDC. London mayor Boris Johnson has no problem publishing the numbers, but the LLDC is appealing the ruling to publish the contract in full.
Related: Nothing to hide: London mayor happy to publish West Ham's Olympic Stadium contract
Sky Sports alleges that an edited copy of the contract did not reveal how much West Ham will be paying.