Folkestone Invicta seal the deal on 15-year Cheriton Road stadium lease

FOLKESTONE INVICTA have sealed a reversionary 15-year lease with Folkestone & Hythe District council, which gives the Isthmian League Premier Division club 15 years uninterrupted tenure of their Cheriton Road stadium until 2036.

“We have been in discussions for some time regarding extending our lease, which not only gives us longer security of tenure and the opportunity to maximise return on investments, but also enabling us to apply for grant funding otherwise unavailable to us,” said a club statement.

The club thanked their local MP’s Damian Collins and David Monk, the leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council and officers for their assistance.

Invicta admitted their floodlights “are badly in need of modernising,” as they look to make them more eco-friendly and thoroughly checking and updating existing wiring of the four floodlighting pylons.

“This required obtaining full planning permission, which became a somewhat protracted process but we are pleased to say has now been granted,” added the statement.

“We have been aware for a whole that only two of the four bulbs on the pylon close to the club shop worked and would not come up to full capacity, but could not act without full planning permission.

“Thus our application for grant funding is a ground grading necessity which usually receives more favourable consideration.

“Subject to grant approval, we are looking to have this work completed by the date that the clocks go back in October and have confirmed with the contractor this is possible.

“This work was always going to be yet another major step forward for our club and evidence of our determination to take the club onward and upward whilst maintaining financial stability.”

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk