Council ponders stadium extension

Some of the new seating would be permanent, officials said

Businesses in Derby may be asked to help contribute towards a £26m extension to Pride Park Stadium as part of the city's World Cup bid.

Derby is bidding to become one of 12 host cities as England bids to stage the 2018 World Cup.

Capacity at Derby County's stadium would need to increase from 33,500 to 45,000 to meet FA criteria.

The city council will discuss the proposals at a meeting of full council on Wednesday evening.

Councillors will look at proposals to charge firms an extra levy to help fund the development.

'Huge opportunity'

Adam Wilkinson, chief executive of the city council, said: "We have looked at various options and calculated some possible ways of finding the money we need to fund the World Cup in Derby.

"These are significant figures and may cause some concern both to businesses and residents but we believe the economic benefits to Derby far outweigh the costs.

"This is a huge opportunity that we need to grasp, the recommendations set out how we propose to move forward."

Proposal for the extension would include some temporary and permanent seating, which would leave the stadium with a capacity of between 35,000 and 38,000 after the event.

Labour city councillor Chris Williamson said: "We're very much in favour of the World Cup being hosted in Derby.

"I think it will bring huge benefits to the city both in terms of really putting Derby on the map and generating new investment and job opportunities."

A decision on which country will host the 2018 World Cup will be made in December 2010.