A Bucks football club has been forced to defend itself after “concerns” were raised on social media about a car buying giant opening up a new branch in its car park.

The Bucks Free Press reported earlier this month that Webuyanycar.com had opened a ‘pod branch’ in the car park of the Chesham United football ground, in Amersham Road.

The football club put out a statement on its website to “clarify a number of points raised that have caused some concern on social media” following the story in the BFP.

It said all correct planning procedures were followed and the new branch has brought some much-needed income to the club “at a time when income has been vastly reduced” due to Covid.

The club added it has been an “exceptional business deal… that not only helps secure our future but helps in our ambition to move forward both on and off the pitch”.

Concerns were raised about the loss of parking spaces and higher traffic footfall as a result, but the club reassured residents in the statement, saying: “The amount of additional traffic will be negligible as it is not a location selling cars, it is an evaluation site where cars are brought along to be checked.

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“It is not like your typical garage forecourt where customers will come to browse an array of cars, and there will be no large lorries coming up the drive to deliver cars, or anything like that.”

The statement in full:

“Following a recent article in the Bucks Free Press, the club felt it only right to clarify a number of points raised that have caused some concern on social media.

“The renting of parking space to We Buy Any Car came about following an approach from the company looking for somewhere with a handful of parking spaces to operate.

“After consultation with our landlords we are going through all the correct planning and procedures, and are delighted with the outcome that has brought significant income to the football club at a time when income has been vastly reduced during these Covid times.

“In the weekly notes from the chairman, supporters have been updated with developments, invited to provide feedback and concerns regarding the loss of parking spaces have been addressed, including a new scheme that will allow supporters to reserve places on a matchday – a new initiative that was arrived at from the conversations with supporters, but not as a direct necessity of the arrangement with We Buy Any Car because we are, in fact, only losing three parking spaces in total as a result of the deal.

“The amount of additional traffic will be negligible as it is not a location selling cars, it is an evaluation site where cars are brought along to be checked, it is not like your typical garage forecourt where customers will come to browse an array of cars, and there will be no large lorries coming up the drive to deliver cars, or anything like that.

“The truth of the matter is that it has been an exceptional business deal for the club that not only helps secure our future, but helps in our ambition to move forward both on and off the pitch.

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“Yes, there is a small additional building as you approach the club and yes, the We Buy Any Car branding is very clear, as it should be, after all this is equivalent to one of the best sponsorship deals the club has ever had.

“We appreciate any concerns, but can assure everyone that this latest arrangement is excellent news for the football club and excellent news for the local area.

“As the world continues to go through changes, we too must adapt and seek new business opportunities if we are to succeed in these strangest of times.

“We hope that we will be able to build many more business partnerships with other companies, especially local companies that will benefit both parties.

“Our door is always open, but most importantly, our decisions will always be based on what is best for our supporters and the success of our club and local community.

“As always, any feedback is warmly welcomed by the chairman, Peter Brown, at chairman@cheshamunited.co.uk.”