If at first ...

The 14^th century Scottish King, Robert the Bruce, is credited with coining the phrase: "if at first you don't succeed try, try and try again," supposedly inspired by watching a spider attempt to spin a web whilst he was hiding in a cave.

Thank goodness Bath Rugby’s owner, Bruce Craig, tapped into his own Scottish ancestry and followed the advice of that historic Bruce in his ambition of creating a stadium fit for a champion club in the 21^st century. I think most people would have abandoned the project over the years, in light of a range of obstacles which must have driven to distraction two owners, three Chief Executives and a variety of architects.

But his perseverance has now paid off. After exhaustive consultations, any number of legal proceedings and a series of design proposals, the Council’s Planning Committee has given its approval and the Government has signalled it isn’t going to get involved.

It’s no exaggeration to say this is a game changing moment and just think of the consequences if it hadn’t happened. No TV aerial shots of the centre of Bath, which are invaluable to the tourist industry, no match day spending from supporters in shops, restaurants and bars and an elite professional sports team plying its trade elsewhere.

However, the future will look very different to that bleak prospect. The stadium will be suitable for the modern day, not only hosting the newly renamed “Prem” Rugby, providing facilities for the Club’s community services and a base for a women’s team but also regenerating what has frankly been a fairly uninspiring section of riverside.

For me the new stadium will say a lot more about Bath. It sends out a signal that things can happen in the City and that we are willing to embrace the here and now, merging with the historic backdrop. It’s a great answer to those who would say it’s too difficult to do things in Bath and will be a major statement of intent. Look at the impact the new Everton Stadium has had on how people are viewing Liverpool.

A world class Fashion Museum is on its way and the Quays Developments are taking shape, both of which will reinforce the message that Bath is truly open for business and lift our spirits during a time when business confidence and optimism in the future is running low.

Developments like the stadium are a valuable anti-dote to the circle of despair that can be so damaging to the local economy because pessimism can become a dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy, so thanks again to those Bruces.