Business leaders have warned the impact of the Sky Blues leaving the city would be devastating for the local economy.
Ian O’Donnell, Warwickshire and Coventry chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small firms and local shops in Coventry will definitely feel the impact, and possibly face closure, if Coventry City Football Club moves to Northampton. Businesses, which are already feeling financial pressure, rely on the football club to generate footfall. It is essential that all is done to keep the club in the city, which in turn will help save businesses in the surrounding area from closure.
“We must remember that small firms re-invest 63p in each £1 back into the local economy. They aren’t just part of the local community, they are the local community. If business, shops and pubs have to close as a result of City’s move, communities will not only feel the loss of the club, they will also be impacted by fewer small businesses providing services for local people.”
The above will happen if the football club do as promised and move out of Coventry.
One business said it would wipe out 20,000 of their profits overnight and they would need to make redundancies.