Notts TV will broadcast a celebration of Forest’s famous promotion to the Premier League tomorrow (Monday, May 30) when a special event is held in Old Market Square.
Players and club officials will be showing off the Championship play-off winners trophy on the Council House balcony as part of a lunchtime celebration.
Comedian and lifelong Forest supporter Matt Forde and BBC Radio Nottingham commentator Colin Fray will host the event, which will include interviews with the players before the trophy is raised aloft to the crowd below.
Forest played out a thrilling game this afternoon against Huddersfield Town in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley – it was the club’s first trip to the new stadium since it opened in 2007 and their first major final for 30 years.
Tomorrow’s event will start at 1pm in Old Market Square and supporters are asked to arrive no earlier than 11.30am to ensure time for preparations. It will be broadcast live on Notts TV and simultaneously on Nottingham Forest’s official website.
Notts TV is available across Nottingham city and the county on Freeview channel 7, Virgin 159, and BT/YouView 7.
The celebration falls on the first day of the school half-term holiday and is designed to be a family event. The club and Nottingham City Council say there is strictly no alcohol, flares or pyrotechnics – anyone caught with the latter may be subject to a club ban.
It is expected to be very popular and there will be road closures and diversions put in place, plus some temporary changes to bus services. Trams will not move through Old Market Square for a short time and services will terminate at Royal Centre and Nottingham station.
Councillor David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Forest secured promotion – it means a huge amount to the city after more than two decades outside the top flight.
“On behalf of the Council, I’d like to congratulate Steve Cooper, his players and staff, the club’s board and owners, plus the wonderful supporters who travelled down to north-west London today in their thousands to represent our proud city. We must recognise Huddersfield, too, who played so well on the day.
“This is a huge moment for Nottingham. We said last week that, beyond the sheer pride and joy that promotion brings, having a team in the Premier League offers the local economy an estimated £120m boost.
“We expect it could lead to an extra 100,000 people coming to the city as visiting football fans, as well as an increase in national reputation helping to attract students applying to our two universities and people looking for holiday breaks, along with extra spend by Premier League club staff and players.
“But above all that, this is simply a wonderful moment for Nottingham and we hope many Forest supporters, their families and city residents are able to join the players outside the Council House tomorrow. For those who unfortunately can’t attend, the event will be live-streamed.”
For supporters planning to attend the event, please read the following important information:
- Fans are asked to arrive in Old Market Square no earlier than 11.30am to allow time for the site to be prepared;
- This is a family event, so no alcohol. A reminder that the city centre is subject to a Public Spaces Protection Order banning alcohol from the streets;
- Forest players will be making a 30-minute appearance on the Council House balcony with the play-off winners trophy. There is no other entertainment planned;
- The capacity of Old Market Square is limited. Although there will be screens and an enhanced PA to relay sound and images, views to the balcony may be partially obscured;
- The event will also be streamed live on Notts TV and Forest’s official website to enable fans at work, based around the UK and overseas to view the ceremony free on smart TVs or mobile devices;
- Strictly no flares or pyrotechnics. Anyone found with these may receive a three-year club ban.
