Spurs Abandon Promise of £16m Deal

Tottenham Hotspur has broken its promise to invest £16m in regenerating the riot-torn local community.

Spurs signed a contract with Haringey Council under which it agreed to plough money into a community that was ripped apart by the August riots.

The north London club now looks set to break that vow after deciding that it could not afford the money on top of the £400m it is spending on its new 60,000-seat stadium. Planning approval was given for the stadium in 2010.

Paul Phillips, Tottenham's project director, said: "All major regeneration projects require a level of public sector support, especially in areas with such high levels of deprivation and need."

It also seems likely that Tottenham's future investment in improving Tottenham Hale station and its surrounding roads will be waived.

Haringey Council and Mayor of London Boris Johnson have agreed to subsidise the plans to spend just £9m which will be paid entirely by the taxpayer.

Haringey's cabinet member for economic development, Alan Strickland, said: "The council's investment will be £9m, but with funding from the GLA [Greater London Authority] and Spurs, north Tottenham is set for a £400m regeneration."

Spurs's plans include a club superstore and a series of homes half of which they have promised will be affordable.