Leyton Orient has announced its plans to develop a new “world-class” multipurpose stadium by 2031.
In April 2025, the East London club announced an American-led consortium had taken over, with David Glandler as the face of the takeover, with the main goal not being just a football stadium for the men’s team but also for a Leyton Orient ladies team.
The new ownership proposed an ambitious vision to leave the traditional home of Brisbane Road, with plans to build the new ground in one of three locations: Leyton Mills Retail Park, New Spitalfields Market, and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, with none of the sites approved as of yet for the Owls’ new stadium.
Local businesses have voiced their concerns about the club’s stadium moving further away from Brisbane Road due to a new stadium potentially pulling customers away from local high street businesses such as fan pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
This is precisely the case for Tuesday, the owner of Northcote pub, who said: “Saturdays pay for the week,” and due to the pub’s proximity to the station, they may lose away fans.
The new stadium move poses the question – what will Leyton look like without Leyton Orient? This is a question the North East Londoner put forward to India, an assistant manager of a local pub.
“The neighbourhood will suffer, it is definitely a bad thing that the club is moving, we know that there is a big void to fill,” India said.
Additionally, gentrification has been affecting the area, causing many locals to be cautious about prices being driven up by the new stadium, affecting pricing on the high street.
Michael, 36, a manager of Denney’s near Brisbane Road, voiced his concerns about the move to the new stadium affecting pricing on the high street, stating: “Gentrification will affect the area, and if the stadium moves elsewhere, this will affect foot traffic.”
The same pub owner added the move will “rip the soul out of the place” as the club plays an integral role in the community.
The median age of residents is 36.3 years compared to the England average of 40 years.
Leyton has historically been one of London’s most diverse neighbourhoods with independent cafes, shops, and family-run businesses that thrive off the matchdays of the team, as the team plays on a Tuesday and a Saturday.
According to Waltham Forest council, indicating that gentrification is already taken place with younger home owners in the area.
Gentrification does seem to be inevitable, as mentioned by a manager of a high street pub and given the new stadium in the area, jobs will be created.
Orient have played at Brisbane Road since 1926 and have hosted many classic grames including one in 2025 where Orient were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City in the FA Cup.
The Owls’ new stadium has announced Populous, a group that helped designed Tottenhams Hotspurs new stadium as the leading architect for the new stadium and multi-purpose campus.
Leyton Orient has been contacted for comment.
Featured image credit: Alexandros Iakovos Ioannides
Join the discussion