Spurs called on to support area being regenerated after the riots

Daniel Levy: Called to act with 'urgency' and stay in north London
5 April 2012

Boris Johnson today called on Tottenham Hotspur chiefs to show they are "committed" to north London by going ahead with their stadium redevelopment after City Hall announced a huge regeneration package.

More than £40million will be used to rebuild Tottenham following the riots and turn around "the ship of long term decline", the Mayor said today.

The Mayor's office hopes the funding package means Spurs will press ahead with the £400million redevelopment of White Hart Lane.

It called on chairman Daniel Levy to act with "urgency" and stay in north London to build a new 56,250-seat stadium.

In a statement today Daniel Levy said the money from City Hall and Haringey Council "strengthens our ability to deliver a new stadium" in the area.

He said: "We have long said we could only invest in the area if we could see our commitment supported by others and that there was a real need to maximise the regeneration benefits and lift the wider area.

"We therefore see this as a commitment from the public sector to the Tottenham area and one which strengthens our ability to deliver a new stadium scheme with the potential to kick-start the long-term regeneration of north Tottenham."

A spokesman said: "We are committed to Tottenham. Are Spurs? If they are, it is time to show it by investing, as the Mayor is, with the urgency and determination needed to secure the jobs and growth desperately needed in this much-neglected part of our city." The Mayor's office has offered £8.5million for regeneration around the new football ground.

Announcing a £41million commitment to Tottenham today, Mr Johnson said the money will create 100 businesses and thousands of jobs.

Most the money comes from the Mayor's fund, which was set up after the riots in August. Around £10million will come from a government package announced last year for Tottenham and Croydon, the worst-hit areas. Tottenham were last year locked in a court battle with the Olympic Park Legacy Company over the decision to award the £486million stadium in Stratford to West Ham after the Games. Spurs dropped its judicial review following the collapse of the deal with West Ham.

Mr Johnson said: "Tottenham should never feel forgotten again as every one of its residents has a crucial part to play in the shining future of this great world city."

The Mayor added: "London is ripe for investment with falling crime, an unparalleled upgrade of our transport system plus all the benefits of a dynamic and creative workforce, and Tottenham is no exception.

"This is not simply about repairing the damage from mindless violence but turning around the ship of long term unaddressed decline."

A Spurs spokesman today said: "We are committed to progress. [But] we still have to secure bank funding and sponsorship. We are working to move it forward as quickly as we can."

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