Northants buy freehold of the County Ground

By Paul Bolton

Northamptonshire have bought the freehold of the County Ground in Wantage Road from the trust that owns the land. The county have spent the last five years in negotiations with the Cockerill Masonic Trustees, who previous let the ground to Northamptonshire on a long lease.
 
The purchase means that Northamptonshire will have the freedom and opportunity to develop the ground in accordance with their ambitions to become one of the best non-Test Match county grounds in the country.
 
“This was the best thing the club could do and we are very happy that we have been able to achieve this. Although the Cockerill Trustees had allowed us to occupy the County Ground on a long leasehold basis there is nothing better than to have secured ownership of the site ourselves,” said Northamptonshire chairman Martin Lawrence. “This will help to sustain the long term financial security of the club and will enable the club to develop the site to the highest standards possible.
 
“Douglas Iles, one of the corporate partners at Friday Legal Solicitors and a member of our board, was very helpful to us in getting this purchase done and I would like to thank him for his efforts in this regard.”
 
The purchase of the freehold, alongside the County Ground’s new outdoor nets facility that is due to be completed later this summer, has been made possible through a generous legacy left to Northamptonshire by its former president Lynn Wilson.
 
“This purchase gives the club a good opportunity to continue developing the County Ground, and developments such as the outdoor nets facility will enhance our reputation within the game and it should benefit the club in securing future international touring team fixtures, as our improving facilities will be a big attraction to them,” said Northamptonshire chief executive David Smith.
 

Date: 22/05/2012 10:02:29 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Northamptonshire |