Islington Tribune - News: Stadium prices are a stretch for limo VIPs

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 16 November 2007

Stadium prices are a stretch for limo VIPs

CHEAPSKATE millionaire football fans are clogging up Highbury’s streets with their stretch limos rather than paying out for exclusive Emirates Stadium parking, the Tribune can reveal.
Executive chauffeurs are making the lives of residents in Palmer Place, Morgan Road and Caedmon Road a misery on Arsenal match days, it is claimed, as they double park, take up residents’ bays and urinate in gardens while waiting for their clients.
The claims were made at a meeting of the East Area Committee on Monday where a council report monitoring the effects of the Emirates
stadium was presented to councillors.
The report stated that on average, just over half the 600 parking spaces under the stadium are used.
It said: “Overall this low level of occupancy can be attributed to the relatively few number of spectators wishing to enjoy the hospitality related to the boxes and the Diamond Club, and benefiting from the parking inside.”
Arsenal’s Diamond Club, which is by invitation only, is believed to cost a one-off £25,000 payment plus an annual £25,000 for an exclusive package of benefits.
Councillor Phil Kelly said: “Even rich people won’t pay for Arsenal’s Diamond Club service. The result is cheapskate millionaires who can’t even afford to park under the stadium.”
A spokesman for Arsenal said: “There is parking available under Emirates stadium which is allocated to the players, directors, essential matchday staff, emergency service vehicles, together with limited parking available for our executive box holders and Diamond Club members.”

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