His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar has formally handed over the keys to the 'El Murga’ Bar premises at Victoria Stadium to the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA), giving the GFA vacant possession of the Victoria Stadium site.

This follows the dismissal by the Supreme Court of the claim brought by VSB Limited in respect of 'El Murga' bar, challenging the constitutional validity of Section 66 of the Landlord and Tenant Act and the Governor’s certificate issued thereunder.

Vacant possession of the Victoria Stadium site enables the GFA to proceed with the next phase of the Victoria Stadium redevelopment project, including the commencement of demolition works on the Western Stand. The project will deliver a UEFA Category 4 national stadium for Gibraltar and will be a significant driver of social and economic benefit for the Gibraltarian community.

As the Government has consistently reiterated, it made generous offers to VSB Limited to avoid legal proceedings and to resolve the matter amicably, including relocation support and long-term tenancy in the new stadium. VSB did not accept those offers and instead decided to challenge the constitutionality of the Government’s actions in the Courts.

The Supreme Court ruling by the Chief Justice of Gibraltar dismissed VSB’s claim entirely, and confirmed the legality of the process followed by HMGoG, allowing this project of national significance to progress.

The Minister leading on the demolition and redevelopment of the Victoria Stadium, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez MP, said:

“By handing over the keys to El Murga, we have cleared the way for the Gibraltar Football Association to begin demolition and move forward with construction. This is an important moment that allows work to finally start on a project of huge importance for both our football community and for Gibraltar as a whole.”

ENDS