Frome Town Council has voted to lease with an option to buy the Badgers Hill site to a private operator.
Fiona Barrows, Chair of Frome Town Council said: “The decision to lease a valued community asset to a private operator, with an option to buy, is not one we would ever take lightly, and we haven’t.
This has been a complicated process, with serious legal and financial implications. We know the decision has taken time, and that some would have liked it made more quickly. But due diligence is essential, and I genuinely believe we reached this outcome as fairly, transparently and responsibly as we could.
We’ve heard from everyone involved, and we’ve listened. This has never been about taking sides. It’s always been about doing what is right for the town and our community — and that principle has guided us throughout.
We look forward to working with the new operator and with Frome Town AFC to make this a success. We are finalising the heads of terms and entering this next phase in all good faith.
This project has been marked by division, but we hope that can now be left behind. Badgers Hill has the potential to be a thriving, inclusive hub for sport and community and we want to see everyone come together to make that vision a reality.”
Councillor Fiona Barrows, went on to say about the current leaseholders, the CBS “We understand how disappointed members of the CBS must feel following Frome Town Council’s decision – a move that also brings the CBS lease to an end. When the Council bought the site in 2022, there was real enthusiasm for the CBS model, and a genuine sense of hope about what could be achieved. Sadly, for a variety of reasons, it hasn’t worked out as we all hoped.
The current CBS board, elected in December, has worked incredibly hard to reduce debt and stabilise the situation. I want to personally thank them for their time, energy and commitment to Badgers Hill, and for the strength they’ve shown throughout.
There has been a great deal of division and blame around this project. I sincerely hope this new chapter at Badgers Hill can help bring people back together.”
You can watch the meeting again here: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/badgers-hill-position-statement-wednesday-2nd-july/
