THE city council is considering providing cash subsidies of up to £20,000 a month to the company running the proposed football centre at South Canterbury Road.

This week's Kentish Gazette exclusively reveals that Pulse Soccer will receive taxpayers’ money over 30 years as a way of guaranteeing its return on a £3.5 million investment if the centre goes ahead.

The proposed centre includes a ground for Canterbury City FC, another full-size pitch, eight five-a-side pitches, an artificial pitch, two junior pitches plus a bar and gymnasium.

David Ford, pictured, the council’s assistant head of culture and communications, insisted the financial risk to the council would be “minimal”.

The centre will cost about £5.4 million to build, and in addition to the money from Pulse, the council is hoping to receive £1.5 million from the Football Foundation.

It also has £472,000 contribution from the developer building on the former Kingsmead stadium site.

See this week's Gazette for full report.