Ground plan’s progress

The Club’s business plan was praised by the ECB as one of the strongest submitted by any of the 18 First Class Counties as Derbyshire were granted the £1m ground development fund.

Some £300,000 of this funding has been received and – after reviewing submissions - architects Pick Everard have been appointed with project managers Armsoms to oversee plans for the proposed development. Both firms are long-established with experience of working on schemes including projects in the sport and community sectors.

Derbyshire CCC is pursuing other funding to augment the £1m and to allow the club to press ahead with attempting to acquire the freehold of The Gateway Centre, the building of a new media centre and to develop improved facilities.

Chairman Chris Grant said, “We’re delighted to be working with two local Derbyshire firms who bring strong experience to the table. It’s important we now use the funding wisely and develop realistic plans to improve the County Ground. We will continue to work hard in identifying additional sources of revenue to reinforce the ECB income. Members can be assured any development will not over-burden us with debt as doing so would only impede our ability to channel increased off-field revenues into the playing side.”