Football club Cheltenham Saracens granted 25-year lease on ground

Cheltenham Saracens Football Club has been granted a new 25-year lease on its ground by Cheltenham Borough Council.

The club says the deal will secure its future.

The club has had a lease at Petersfield Park since 2003.

During this time, the club has carried out improvements to provide a better environment for its membership.

There are further works to be carried out which would require substantial funding – but to be eligible the club needed to be able to demonstrate the longevity of their proposals and occupation.

Peter Jeffries, Cheltenham Borough Council cabinet member for finance and assets, said: “The club’s membership and profile has really grown over the years and this in turn has increased the use of their facilities, which of course need to be maintained and improved to be fit for the future.

"The club is a huge asset to the local community and what’s particularly exciting about their future plans is a possible collaborative project between the club, Big Local, and St Peter’s and the Moors.

"The club continues to demonstrate its commitment both to St Peter’s recreation ground and to the wider community and I am really pleased that they have a great future ahead of them.’’

Graham Roberts, chairman of Cheltenham Saracens FC, added: “We are really pleased to have signed the new lease. It secures the club's future and means we can continue with our plans to improve the ground and facilities.

"With the plans we have the ground can become a big part of the community with some of the best facilities around.”

Pictured: Dave Bath, Saracen’s FC, Richard Gibson, Cheltenham Borough Council, Kelly Patterson, Cheltenham Borough Council, Claire Pockett, Cheltenham Borough Council , Councillor Victoria Atherstone, ward member for St Peter’s, Cheltenham Borough Council
Councillor David Willingham, ward member for St Peter’s, Cheltenham Borough Council