West Ham United retains sole tenancy of Olympic stadium

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Leyton Orient have failed in their appeal to attain the tenancy of the Olympic stadium after the high court refused to review the decision made in favor of West Ham United, who were given sole tenancy of the stadium.

Orient expressed their disappointment in the decision through an official statement.

“We feel a real sense of injustice at today’s decision. Karren Brady told the House of Lords only a few weeks ago that West Ham United had no objection to a ground share with Leyton Orient, but West Ham United’s barrister today claimed that to ground share would adversely affect the club because the Olympic Stadium is part of the brand,” the statement said.

“Our real concern is the lack of transparency that has been shown throughout the process by a public body. It is deeply disappointing that both the Court and the LLDC have made decisions based only on financial considerations, when the purpose of the Stadium’s legacy was regeneration of the area with a community focus,” it added.

The court earlier gave West Ham the sole tenancy of the stadium, a decision which was given for a judicial review by Orient, but a high court hearing held in London ruled in favor of the Hammers, thereby rejecting the request of Orient.

Meanwhile Orient chairman, Barry Hearn, said that the decision was unfair and opaque.

“Although the application for a judicial review would not have had any impact on West Ham United’s move to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Club have always believed the process was robust, fair and transparent,” he said.