The leaders of Nottingham City Council are in favor of Nottingham Forest remaining at the City Ground.
When negotiations with the council over rent broke down last week, Forest chairman Tom Cartledge stated that the team was ready to think about moving to a new stadium rather than renovating the City Ground. Whereas, It is reported that the council’s desire to raise rent from £250,000 to £1 million is the reason behind the breakdown in the talks between Forest and the council.
“We think the Trent Bridge area is the best place for the club to remain and we will work with them to achieve a settlement that allows that to happen,” Nottingham City Council ’s leader David Mellen told the BBC. “We’re not ready to give up talking or end negotiations and whether that’s with the chairman or the owner, we’ll do what is necessary.”
Cartledge had previously told the BBC: “going We find ourselves in a position where for the first time we’re having to consider whether the future is going to be away from the City Ground
“In the future, football clubs’ wage bills are to be very heavily linked to revenue.
“If we can’t grow the revenue, there is a realistic chance we cannot achieve our objectives and grow the playing side and give the manager the resources he needs.
“Unless we start to see some significant progress, it is now having to be a realistic discussion point as to look elsewhere.
“I’m frustrated, the owner is frustrated, because what he wants to do is give back what he promised the people of Forest, which is growth on and off the field and not to be able to do that is tough.”
Multi-million pound project
Almost five years ago, the club revealed its ambitions to renovate the ground, a project that would see capacity increased to almost 38,000. Phase one of the plan was considered to be the reconstruction of the Peter Taylor Stand, with an extension for the Bridgford Stand also in the works. Furthermore, The Peter Taylor Stand was to be demolished, rebuilt, and expanded from 5,000 to 10,000 seats by Forest.
In 2022, plans saw a significant advancement as Rushcliffe Borough Council ultimately approved the plan for implementation. However, a number of challenges have prevented development from starting yet.
According to recently published plans, City Ground’s capacity would be increased to 40,000, as reported in an article by The Athletic.
That would therefore, come from extending the Bridgford Stand to incorporate an additional 5,000 seats, to go with the 10,000 planned for the Peter Taylor Stand. It was said owner Evangelos Marinakis would “ideally” like to have the two redeveloped stands completed by the end of 2027.
Talks stall
As talks with the council have stalled, Cartledge told the BBC:
“We find ourselves in a position where for the first time we’re having to consider whether the future is going to be away from the City Ground. In the future, football clubs’ wage bills are going to be very heavily linked to revenue. If we can’t grow the revenue, there is a realistic chance we cannot achieve our objectives and grow the playing side and give the manager the resources he needs.
“Unless we start to see some significant progress, it is now having to be a realistic discussion point as to look elsewhere. I’m frustrated, the owner (Evangelos Marinakis) is frustrated, because what he wants to do is give back to what he promised the people of Forest which is growth on and off the field and not to be able to do that is tough.”
A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council said:
“We know Forest’s importance to our city and are extremely proud of their recent success – as we are with other sporting clubs like Notts County, the Panthers and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. We also have a statutory duty to ensure best value for taxpayers in finding an agreement which works for both the local authority and the club.
“The council remains committed to further negotiations to find the best way forward and has offered to continue dialogue. We understand Forest’s need for a swift resolution and their ambition for expansion which will bring benefit to the area, and will work with them on a solution which meets their aims and our statutory responsibilities.”
Council leader speaks out
Nottingham City Council’s leader wants Forest to stay at the City Ground.
“We think the Trent Bridge area is the best place for the club to remain and we will work with them to achieve a settlement that allows that to happen,” Nottingham City Council ’s leader David Mellen told the BBC. “We’re not ready to give up talking or end negotiations and whether that’s with the chairman or the owner, we’ll do what is necessary.”