Badgers Hill Stadium, in Frome. Picture: Paul Jones/Somerset Leveller

Exclusivity deal for Badgers Hill – home of Frome Town AFC – removed after meeting

Paul JonesDecember 11, 20250 Comment0

A DEAL giving a company exclusive rights over Badgers Hill – home of Frome Town AFC – has been removed.

An extraordinary meeting of Frome Town Council (FTC) on December 10 voted to remove the exclusive right of tenants Badgers Hill Ltd (BHL) to lease, or buy, the site.

They also voted to delegate authority for decisions over significant health and safety concerns to the town clerk, leader of the council Fiona Barrows and lead councillor for assets, Steve Tanner.

The meeting was called after concerns over health and safety measures at the ground – primarily at the clubhouse – were raised, which FTC said was in breach of the tenancy agreement.

After the meeting, BHL retain the ‘tenancy at will’ for the stadium, and the operators of Frome Town AFC and can submit a new business plan to proceed to a lease with the right to buy.

However, the decision means a third party or parties could also approach the council and bid to lease or buy Badgers Hill.

Bids from all parties will be reviewed at the full council meeting in March next year.

FTC granted the exclusive right to lease or buy Badgers Hill to BHL in July, with a rent of £32,000 and on a ‘sold as seen’ basis.

As talks continued over the full agreement, with the football season approaching, the parties agreed a temporary ‘tenancy at will’ which allowed BHL to take over running of the ground before the deal was finalised.

But just five months later, FTC called the extraordinary meeting due to a lack of response from BHL about the lease and the results of health and safety, fire and legionella assessments at the site.

Badgers Hill has been the subject of some controversy in recent months…

Last night’s meeting heard from newly-appointed board member of BHL, Martyn Starnes, and colleague David Parry, as well as several members of Frome’s footballing community.

“The mood at the meeting was sombre but there was a clear consensus of the importance of the site and of football for Frome, with councillors and attendees sharing passion for and commitment to Badgers Hill,” an FTC spokesperson said.

BHL acknowledged the issues to date and explained that Courtney Fong, the US-based investor behind BHL, had been dealing with significant family issues and had recently asked Mr Starnes to step up as CEO, as he has has a demonstrated track record of running football clubs including Yeovil Town, Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle.

“He has not yet decided whether to accept the CEO role but requested an extension to the exclusivity until January 2026, to allow time to prepare a full business plan,” the spokesperson went on.

“Councillors voted by a small majority to proceed to an open tender immediately, but made it clear that they would welcome a clear business plan from BHL with a clear directive that Health and Safety concerns must be addressed immediately.”