Former factory to become huge new Nottingham fanzone

The former East Midlands Fabrications factory will provide a 12,000 sq ft indoor area, the club said

Notts County have been given permission to turn a disused factory into a matchday fanzone.

The club want to convert a building adjacent to its Meadow Lane ground into a venue with a big screen, bar area and street food vendors.

Nottingham City Council approved a planning application for the scheme on Friday.

The club said it hoped to be able to open the venue this summer in time for the European Championships.

The venue, in Iremonger Road, will be called The Nest and have space to accommodate 1,500 fans, the club said.

The club said the new venue, in a former factory, would help its attempts to become financially sustainable

In documents submitted to the city council, agents for Notts County said the plan would bring back into use a building that has been empty since January 2023.

It said the fanzone could potentially create 38 jobs - 24 of them being part-time serving and hosting staff.

The League Two club said the venue would also provide a space for its charitable arm, Notts County Foundation, to stage community events throughout the year.

Notts County chief executive Joe Palmer told the BBC the aim was to have the venue open by 14 June in time for the beginning of the European Championships.

He previously described the venue as one that would be like Wembley's Boxpark, and added: "For Notts fans, the matchday experience will be revolutionised.

"Our growing fanbase deserve far more in terms of food, beverage and pre/post-match entertainment - and they can now look forward to having one of the very best provisions in English football from the start of the 2024-25 season.

"Supporters will be able to watch the early and late Premier League kick-offs, sample delicious street food from a top-class rotation of vendors and quickly buy refreshments from a large bar - all within an incredibly short walk of the turnstiles.

"On non-matchdays, the possibilities are endless with the space lending itself perfectly to a variety of events including beer and food festivals, comedy, film screenings, e-sports and much more."

Notts County wants to create a venue similar to Boxpark near Wembley stadium

He said there was "quite a bit to do" in terms of decorating the venue, but confirmed the screens and sound system were "already lined up".

Mr Palmer added: "The owners have come in with a very clear strategy and process. Particularly on the football side, that needs to be mirrored off the pitch, and as a business we want to aim to be sustainable.

"I think we can then put ourselves in a very healthy position. To be able to compete for promotion, but without putting the club in unnecessary debt."