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Nottinghamshire Live 1w ago
Details of Nottingham Forest's 'multi-million pound' City Ground refresh
Source: Nottinghamshire Live

It has been a busy summer on and off the pitch for Nottingham Forest - and it is not over with just yet.

The Reds will hope some good business done in the transfer window, with 11 signings made, can help them push up the Premier League table. Meanwhile, work continues on making improvements to their City Ground home.

Fans will have noticed a fair few changes to the stadium when Nuno Espirito Santo's side hosted Bournemouth in the opening game of the season. And by the time Fulham visit on September 28, the ground will look different again. Below, we take a look at the work undertaken so far and what is still to come.

Corner boxes During the international break, Forest have been doing plenty of work on their corner box project. Fans have spotted the first containers being put in place.

The plans were first mooted last year and took inspiration from Stadium 974, built from old shipping containers and used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Positioned between the Trent End and Brian Clough stands, the club say the boxes comprise "up-cycled sustainable containers" and will accommodate 180 additional hospitality guests. The club previously said the boxes were set to open in the autumn.

Big screens The groundwork for the containers had already been undertaken prior to this week. As part of it, the big screen previously housed in that corner of the ground was taken out to leave space for the boxes.

There is now a new screen on the inside of the Trent End. It is one of two of what the club describe as "brand-new high-definition screens" installed over the summer to "improve the overall fan experience", with a "new super widescreen" sitting in the Bridgford End.

Safe standing One of the biggest changes made to the stadium during the off-season was the installation of safe standing. Forest say it was one of the "biggest investments" in their "multi-million pound summer-long redevelopment programme" to "upgrade" the ground.

In total, 4,196 safe standing spaces were installed in the Upper Bridgford Stand, Blocks U1 and U2, and Lower Bridgford Stand Block Z. There is also a safe standing section for away fans in Lower Bridgford Stand Block W. The club said the introduction of safe standing: "Represents a significant step forward in enhancing the matchday experience for fans whilst ensuring safety remains paramount."

Additionally, before the campaign started, new seats were installed in the Peter Taylor Stand and the lower tier and corners of the Brian Clough Stand. It meant the overall capacity of the ground had already been boosted even before the addition of the corner boxes as Forest look to cater for "an incredible demand for tickets".

Hospitality improvements During the summer, millions of pounds was spent on improving the hospitality facilities at the City Ground. There was a wholesale refurbishment of existing hospitality spaces and the club now have three new hospitality areas - Garibaldi Lounge, McGoverns and Forest Museum.

McGovern's Lounge is located in the Brian Clough Stand. The Garibaldi Lounge is located next to the team arrivals area near the main entrance. And the recently-opened club museum situated in the Trent End now also has a hospitality section.

Meanwhile, the 1865 Lounge has been renamed Founders 1865 after a full refurbishment. The Legends Lounge has also been renamed, to The Trentside Lounge, after its own refresh.

The upgrades are part of the Reds' aim to make the City Ground a venue capable of hosting events throughout the year. The Trentside Lounge is able to accommodate 500 guests for conferences and banquets,

Owners' box Another change to the stadium will see the addition of a separate executive suite for owner Evangelos Marinakis to watch games from. Once finished, it will replace his current seat in the directors' box. Work is well under way on building the area in the Peter Taylor Stand.

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