A consortium of local businessmen looking to buy Bury FC are hoping to rent Gigg Lane from Bury Council.

Councillors will be asked at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to approve a proposal to “investigate the option” to invest in the Shakers’ home.

Among several options for the future of football in the town is the consortium completing a solvent takeover from owner Steve Dale.

That has been progressing in recent months with the future of Gigg Lane central to any plans.

“The ‘ask’ upon the council from the consortium is that we consider acquiring the stadium site and then seek to charge a monthly rental payment to the newly reformed club,” a council document reads.

“This would enable the club to return to playing fixtures at the Gigg Lane stadium.

“The council has been provided with a detailed business plan from the consortium, demonstrating how it would seek to operate and generate sufficient financial returns to reliably pay rent for a prolonged period and maintain the stadium facility.”

No final decision has been made ahead of the meeting but it has been recommended that the plan moves to the next stage.

“This proposal has benefits and as such it is right for the council to fully investigate the option to invest,” the report concludes.

“A final decision can only be made once the full due-diligence is completed.”

A new Bury AFC phoenix club, who have an undisclosed groundshare arrangement in place, have always maintained they are a last resort to ensure there is a side representing the Shakers next season.

They have applied to play in the North West Counties League.

Entrepreneur Robert Benwell, the subject of a heated public meeting in December, has also expressed an interest in taking Gigg Lane out of liquidation.

Dale defaulted on his initial Company Voluntary Agreement to help settle the club’s debts with a new deadline of April 1 in place to formalise a new agreement.

He bought the club from Stewart Day for £1 in December 2018 with his inability to prove he had sufficient funds to take the club forward leading to the Shakers’ expulsion from the EFL last August.