Nottingham Forest have received a massive off-field boost following official confirmation that Rushcliffe Borough Council has approved the club’s ambitious plans to construct a brand-new, three-storey club superstore right next to the City Ground.
Submitted back in August, the landmark proposal clears the way for the Reds to transform a long-vacant wasteland site on the corner of Radcliffe Road and Pavilion Road—directly beside the famous William Gunn pub where a petrol station once stood—into a flagship retail destination.
Crucially, this green light acts as the next major domino in Nottingham Forest’s sweeping 20,000-seat City Ground stadium expansion, which received historic planning approval in September and promises to elevate the club’s infrastructure into the Premier League’s elite tier.
”Demolition & Upgrade”: Inside Forest’s Modernised Three-Storey Hub
For years, supporters have endured cramped matchday conditions inside the existing single-storey club shop on Pavilion Road. Under the newly approved blueprint, that outdated facility will be completely demolished to open up vital concourse space directly in front of the stadium.
The replacement superstore—still situated within immediate walking distance of the turnstiles—has been specifically designed to deliver an “enhanced and modernised” matchday experience:
- Ground & First Floors: Expansive retail zones showcasing official kits, training wear, and club merchandise, complemented by dedicated food and drink outlets on the ground floor for supporters arriving early on matchdays.
- Top Floor: Modern corporate office spaces and executive meeting rooms to house the club’s rapidly growing commercial operations.
- Job Creation Boom: The expanded footprint will generate 14 full-time roles and 50 part-time opportunities for the local community, reinforcing the East Midlands Combined Authority’s broader vision for a thriving “Trent Sports District.”
”Trent Sports District”: Why Council Planners Backed the Project
In their formal assessment, Rushcliffe Borough Council planning officers threw their full weight behind Evangelos Marinakis and the club’s infrastructure vision, highlighting both economic revitalization and highway safety:
“The proposal would facilitate the relocation of the club shop to a more suitable premises that would bring a long-vacant site into use, enable the retention and growth of a viable business.
“In doing so, the proposal would provide economic benefits through job creation whilst supporting the wider ambitions of the East Midlands Combined Authority to develop the ‘Trent Sports District’. The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of matters of highway safety, parking and access.”
Council conditions have also locked in flexible trading hours—allowing the superstore to operate from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, and remaining open for a full hour after the final whistle on matchdays.
Momentum Building On and Off the Pitch on Trentside
Combined with Oliver Glasner’s side lifting themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone via last weekend’s thrilling 3-1 triumph over Manchester City, momentum around Trentside is surging.
With the existing Pavilion Road shop set to come down to make room for a modernized stadium plaza, Nottingham Forest supporters are watching their historic home transform before their eyes into a true Premier League powerhouse.
