Reasons for Forest’s potential departure from City Ground

Nottingham Forest may cancel stadium reconstruction plans and relocate as a result of a rent dispute with the local municipality.

The municipal Ground is located on land leased by the municipal council, and the present lease expires in 33 years.

Talks for an extension have stagnated due to the authority’s requests that the existing £250,000 rent be increased to about £1 million.

According to a spokeswoman, the council is still committed to continuing negotiations “to find the best way forward”.

Club chairman Tom Cartledge stated that unless “significant progress” is made, they may have to “look elsewhere”.

Uncertain future.

Forest, who are now 17th in the Premier League, have stated that they will need to prolong the lease in order to invest in extending the ground’s capacity.

The municipal council recently selected outside commissioners to assist them in dealing with a multimillion-dollar financial imbalance.

Tom Cartledge stated that unless “significant progress” was made, they could have to “look elsewhere”
There have also been conversations regarding the club purchasing the property on a permanent basis.

Mr Cartledge told the BBC: “We find ourselves in a position where, for the first time, we must decide whether the future will be away from the City Ground.

“In the future, football teams’ wage expenses will be significantly tied to revenue.

“If we don’t increase revenue, there’s a good risk we won’t be able to meet our goals, expand the playing roster, and provide the manager with the resources he need.

“Unless we see sufficient progress, it has become a reasonable debate point to look elsewhere.

“I’m frustrated, the owner 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.”

The planning permit for the expansion was given in 2022.
A representative for Nottingham City Council stated that the council is in contact with the club about future alternatives.

The representative stated: “This includes keeping the current agreement, negotiating a new lease, or potentially selling the freehold on a permanent basis.

“These new talks, approved by the authority’s executive board in November of last year, are ongoing and, by definition, difficult.

“The 2019 agreement did not proceed because it did not meet the council’s statutory responsibility to obtain ‘best consideration’. The authority has now hired professional agents to advise on the situation.

“We understand Forest’s importance to our community and are as proud of their recent success as we are of other sporting clubs such as Notts County, the Panthers, and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

“We also have a legislative duty to ensure that taxpayers receive the best value possible by reaching an arrangement that benefits both the local government and the club.

“The council is still committed to continued negotiations to identify the best path forward and has pledged to continue dialogue.

“We recognize Forest’s need for a quick resolution as well as their desire for development that will benefit the area, and we will collaborate with them to find a solution that fits their goals while also meeting our statutory obligations.

“Any proposed new terms or agreements would need to be brought back to executive board for consideration and approval.”