City Ground expansion approved: Local business owners react to huge Nottingham Forest boost

Nottingham Forest's City Ground expansion has been given the green light, with local business owners expecting a major boost from the club's plans.

Pub, restaurant and takeaway owners near the stadium have welcomed the prospect of thousands more supporters and construction workers coming to the area.

City Ground expansion approved

Rushcliffe Borough Council approved plans on September 16 to increase the City Ground's capacity from around 30,000 to 45,000 by extending the Peter Taylor Stand and filling in both corners of the Trent End.

Outline permission was also granted for a future expansion of the Brian Clough Stand, which could eventually take capacity to 52,000.

Businesses around West Bridgford have welcomed the prospect of a bigger City Ground, with several owners expecting increased footfall both during construction and on matchdays.

Mark James, who owns the nearby Boot Room pub told the Nottingham Post: “I mean, obviously, it's a massive positive. But one of the biggest positives for me, which I experienced in my Hooters days, is looking at construction.

“There are going to be a couple of hundred people working on the project around a bar or a restaurant. If the work is local to my business, you'd like to entertain them. So that's when the first positive comes in for me.”

Crown Decorating Centre's Rebecca Fairhurst added: “From a personal perspective, I think it’s amazing for Nottingham. The fans are friendly, but from a trade perspective, it shouldn’t affect us too much. If anything it may help the business because more people will pass through and see the shop.”

There is also optimism from workers at Cloughies Cob Stop, a popular takeaway near the City Ground.

Matchday worker Tiffany Reeve said: “I think it will help. It may help local businesses because you'll have all the workers there, so they might pop in for a cob and stuff like that. It'll definitely help business having more people around.”

Hemisphere Restaurant owner and Forest supporter Paul Thacker added: “Great. I absolutely can't wait. I'm a Forest fan myself and a season ticket holder. We've got a bit of a long way to go.

“I don't really think an additional bridge (over the River Trent) is needed, I think it's a waste of money. I think it's great for the club, and it'll bring more revenue into the club.”

The council approval includes £4.17m in developer contributions towards local infrastructure, while the wider redevelopment could eventually make the City Ground a 52,000-capacity stadium.

Forest's plans are subject to conditions, with the club aiming to complete the wider works by 2033.

FGG Says: Great news for Nottingham Forest and local businesses

The City Ground expansion is a major boost for Nottingham Forest and could bring significant benefits to pubs, restaurants and other local businesses.

With more supporters and workers coming into the area, the redevelopment has unsurprisingly been welcomed by many.