Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) has taken full ownership of the Carnegie Pavilion, at Headingley in a deal advised on by Sanderson Weatherall.

Built as a joint project with Leeds Beckett University, and completed in 2010, the Carnegie Pavilion has provided teaching and office facilities for the university, as well as playing, media, office and hospitality space for Yorkshire Cricket.

LBU has now agreed for the freehold title to be handed to YCCC.

Paul Hudson, The Yorkshire County Cricket Club finance director, said: “This is a really positive move for both Yorkshire Cricket and Leeds Beckett University. By acquiring freehold ownership, the club is now able to continue the development of the Carnegie Pavilion into a leading cricket facility which will benefit Yorkshire and England cricket for years to come.

“Taking ownership will provide the club with more commercial opportunities through an enhanced hospitality experience and provide non-cricket revenue streams. This will also benefit our various education programmes through the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.

“Following the completion of the Members’ Long Room refurbishment in May and the opening of the Emerald Stand last year, we are truly excited about this next phase in the history of Emerald Headingley.

“I would like to thank Leeds Beckett for all its support, and we look forward to our relationship continuing to grow for years to come. I would also like to thank our advisors Clarion, Garbutt and Elliott, and Sanderson Weatherall.”

Andrew Ellis, partner at Sanderson Weatherall, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Yorkshire County Cricket Club on this project. The Carnegie Pavilion and cricket ground is internationally recognised as a leading sports venue, having hosted test matches since 1899 and last hosting The Ashes in 2019.