Cabinet to consider stadium sale
News release issued:
Kidderminster Harriers could soon own Aggborough Stadium, the ground they have played at for more than 130 years.
Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet is considering selling its freehold interest in the ground, the car park and sports and social club to the football club.
The move comes after the club approached the Council about buying the assets last year. Aggborough stadium and the car park are listed on the Council’s Assets of Community Value register. The Council published a notification to dispose of the assets in October. There were no other expressions of interest before the 4 December deadline.
Kidderminster Harriers FC has ambitious plans which are set out in its vision to create a modern, welcoming hub that seeks to build a strong connection between the club, its fans, and the local community. It is looking to transform the stadium into a flexible space that serves not only the needs of match day attendees but also the wider community. Acquiring the stadium and car park is central to the club achieving its vision.
Councillor David Ross, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Portfolio said:
“Kidderminster Harriers FC is a fundamental part of the town with a long-standing relationship with local government. We want the club to succeed and be sustainable. Having a successful club in the town brings many benefits, not only does it have an economic impact it also brings social, community and civic benefits. By selling the assets to the Harriers, we believe it will cement their base in the town for years to come. “
Richard Lane, Chairman, Kidderminster Harriers Football Club, said:
“Aggborough Stadium has been the home of our fantastic football club for generations and, as far as I am concerned, always should be for future generations.
“We’ve made incredible progress as a club over the last five years, to move forward with the same ambition we have exciting modernisation plans to improve our facilities at Aggborough, providing better matchday supporters experience, support community and business engagement, ultimately to build a sustainable community asset that we can be proud of. We welcome and thank the WFDC Cabinet Members for positively considering our proposal and look forward to a decision where Aggborough remains at the heart of our football club and community for many years to come.”
A report on the proposed sale of the stadium, car park and social club will be considered by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee on Thursday 5 February at 6pm. Any recommendations will then be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday 11 February at 6pm. The potential sale of employment land off Zortech Avenue in Kidderminster is also being discussed at the meetings. Both meetings will be webcast. They can be viewed at on our meeting streaming webpage.