Nottingham Forest ‘thinking’ massive changes to the City Ground as chairman speaks out

The latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive, including an update on the club’s plans to create a safe-standing area.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly considering becoming the second Premier League club to install a safe-standing section at the City Ground.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Luton Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Newcastle United have already established such sections for supporters. In 2021, the government decided that clubs in the Premier League and Championship would be able to offer licensed standing sections beginning January 1, 2022, as part of a pilot scheme.

According to The Athletic, Forest are considering becoming the next club in the top division to use safe-standing. Internal discussions are taking place at the club, and one of the places under consideration is the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand.

Forest chairman Tom Cartledge has described the club’s position as “pro-safe standing,” implying that adjustments may be implemented later this year. “We are working with FAB and SAG to determine the best location, not just for next season, but for the long term,” Cartledge told the Athletic.

The club has plans to replace the Peter Taylor Stand, improve the roof of the Bridgford Stand, and add extra seats to bring the stadium’s capacity to 40,000. Another area being considered for rail-seat construction is the corner of the Peter Taylor Stand, near the Bridgford Stand.

Having said that, the club would have to decide if it is worth the significant cost of upgrading this portion, given that the stand could be demolished within a year.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis is willing to fund the new-look City Ground, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. However, the stadium reconstruction is dependant on Forest resolving a dispute with Nottingham City Council, which owns the property on which the stadium sits.

The lease would need to be extended, or the council would have to enable the club to purchase the freehold. Forest is said to pay £250,000 per year under the terms of a 50-year lease signed in 2011, but the council is said to want nearly double that before committing to a lengthier deal.

Negotiations have come to a halt since the council declared itself bankrupt in November via a section 114 notice.