Council's stance on football in Hereford as Edgar Street 2070 lease signed

Herefordshire Council has once again confirmed its commitment to football in the county as the new long-term lease for Hereford FC to stay at Edgar Street is signed.

The move confirms the club’s future home for decades to come, and under the key terms outlined last year, rent will be set at £10,000 a year - which it is currently - and will be reviewed every five years.

The decision notice from Herefordshire Council sets out plans for a 40-year lease starting in August 2030, once the current agreement expires. The new deal is the longest since the club reformed in 2015 and will give the club “security of tenure” and shows the council's “commitment to retaining football in the city".

Specifically, the report said the council wanted the new leases because, while it would then have vacant possession of the site, it is "committed to supporting the retention of football in the county".

It added that without an alternative location being found, the decision to not renew the lease would "impact the club’s ability to meet the tenure requirements of future funding opportunities".

So, with the extended term, it will allow the Bulls to apply for vital grant funding for stadium improvements, something much harder under a short lease.

The report explains that Hereford FC asked for the longer term to support its funding applications for upgrades to the ground. Council officers backed the idea, noting that national funding bodies such as the Football Foundation often require long leases before considering bids.

The decision also tidies up the club’s land arrangements at Edgar Street. The land where the public toilets once stood is being removed from the agreements, but more is included behind the Meadow End.

The report concludes that the agreement will “secure the continued use of the stadium for football within the county” and provide a platform for long-term investment.

Signed by the council’s Director for Resources and Strategy on 27 October 2025, the decision means the Bulls can now forge ahead with any plans to improve facilities and build for the future at Edgar Street.

As part of existing terms, Herefordshire Council outlined last year how the club will also benefit from a two years rent-free from 2027, subject to it investing a certain amount in the stadium.