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Nottingham’s City Ground set for major revamp

English Championship football club Nottingham Forest has today (Thursday) unveiled plans for a major redevelopment of its City Ground stadium.

The expansion would increase the stadium’s capacity from 30,000 to 38,000, with the creation of a new Peter Taylor Stand set to be central to the improvements.

The Trentside area, along with the Brian Clough and Bridgford Stands, will also benefit from renovation work. The announcement has been made following what Forest described as “extensive negotiations” with the city council for an extended lease on the City Ground.

The new Peter Taylor Stand will receive a museum, a new club shop, a range of hospitality lounge options and restaurants, and executive boxes. New concourses will also be created for general-admission supporters, along with improved facilities for disabled supporters and a significant increase in wheelchair spaces.

Forest will now enter a period of consultation and engagement with the relevant supporter groups before submitting planning application for the project, which it hopes to break ground on following the 2019-20 season.

The project will mark the first time since 1994 that the City Ground has undergone major development work. Forest will work with architects Benoy on the renovation project, which will position the City Ground as the biggest football stadium in the East Midlands.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “The City Ground has iconic history and memories for our supporters and these legacies were fundamental in our decision (for) us to remain on the banks of the River Trent and not relocating to an alternative site. This is our home and we will remain here forever.

“We want our supporters to play an important role in the decision-making of the club. Our intention is to now consult with our supporters and the wider Nottingham public to gain your views before making a formal planning application. I encourage you all to participate.

“This investment is about our club and the city of Nottingham and we are all committed together to deliver a place that we will all feel proud of, The New City Ground, our home forever.”

Image: Nottingham Forest/Benoy