New bid for Lidl store
More than 600 people have backed budget supermarket chain Lidl in a new attempt to win permission for a supermarket in Bath.
The firm, which has more than 500 outlets across the country, was denied permission to open a new store in the city in April.
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Lidl had planned to turn the former Herman Miller furniture factory at Lower Bristol Road into a food store and three other shops.
Planners turned down the firm's first application on the grounds that the three non-food stores could undermine the city's £360 million SouthGate shopping centre which is due to open in November.
Lidl has now submitted a new application which splits the site into four with one unit being used as a Lidl neighbourhood food store and the remaining three units remaining in their current business classification, which would rule out retail use.
The former factory - listed because of its distinctive roof - has been empty since February 2006 and was targeted by vandals and used by travellers before they were moved on in April.
Lidl's latest application to Bath and North East Somerset Council has been backed by almost 650 letters of support from local people who attended open days run by the firm in February.
It is looking to create a store with 91 car parking spaces including spaces close to the entrance for disabled shoppers and parents and children.
The new store would have 18 secure and lit bicycle racks for customer and staff.
Lidl has pledged £22,000 to contribute to the pedestrian and cycle infrastructure arund the site.
It will also look to develop a 3-metre strip of land close to the River Avon initially for extra parking before being implemented into a riverside walkway.
It has applied to open the store from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
The firm has claimed there is a 'deficiency in convenience retail provision in Bath' and says a Lidl food store would increase "price-based competition" for the benefit of local people.
Lidl called in consultants after the Environment Agency raised concerns about potential surface water flooding and says there should not be a significant risk of this.
Lidl has also included a flood management plan in its latest application.
A spokesman for the firm said: "The proposed refurbishment will resurrect a vacant and tired-looking building of historical importance.
"It would not have a detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of Bath city centre or nearby shopping centres.
"A new store will provide new jobs for local people."
22 Comments
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by MO, bath
Friday, July 23 2010, 6:16PM
“We want LIDL'S IN BATH we have to go to MIDSOMER NORTON OR BRISLINGTON TO GO TO LIDL'S BUT IT IS NOT AN EASY WAY TO GET THERE WITHOUT A CAR I WOULD BE DOWN THERE ALL THE TIME AS THERES NO WHERE CHEAP IN BATH WE ARE DOMINATED WITH SAINSBURYS EVERYWHERE WE ARE PENSONERS AND WOULD WELCOME LIDL'S THINK OF POOR PAID PEOPLE LET THE TOURIST USE THEM WE CAN'T AFFORD IT”
by Kirsten, Bath
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 10:35AM
“Lidl may be an excellent supermarket to buy at, but questions have been raised about its treatment of its employees and its work practices. There are even more questions raised over its treatment of its suppliers, and its failure to source locally. If Lidl's customers are getting food cheaply, someone else may be paying the price.”
by PW, Bath
Monday, July 06 2009, 1:54PM
“Lidl is actually an excellent supermarket - i shop there as well as Waitrose as both offer different things, however, there has to be some question about the wisdom of siting a popular supermarket in an already traffic congested location.”
by Sam, Bath
Sunday, July 05 2009, 6:35AM
“Stick to your upmarket and overpriced Waitrose then Trev! ;)”
by Trevor Anthony, Bath
Saturday, July 04 2009, 3:55PM
“Lidl's ..... a rather 'naff' supermarket, thank goodness we are not letting it into Bath......”
by Sam, Bath
Saturday, July 04 2009, 12:43PM
“Don't forget that Sainsbury's Local and Tesco Express have a limited range of food and are more expensive than the normal Sainsbury's and Tesco supermarkets.
I hope Lidl gets the go-ahead from our "wonderful" council to open the store on Lower Bristol Road.”
by Rosie, Bath
Friday, July 03 2009, 6:55PM
“I think it's about time that Bath supermarkets had some competition. At the moment it just appears to be Sainsbury's that has the monopoly. I wonder, pessimistically , what reason we will be given this time for Lidl's being turned down?”
by Thomas, Odd Down
Friday, July 03 2009, 5:00PM
“At 3.30 this afternoon we tried to drive up Frome Road and were unable to get anywhere because of all the heavy school traffic (3 on the one stretch) and parked cars for the hospital. Who in their right mind would allow any kind of supermarket to open up there with all the extra traffic it will entail. And if it is to be a Sainsburys Local, it will not even be 100 yds from the Tesco Express at Glasshouse, so will just be overkill. This is just supermarket madness and someone (naming no names but his initials are DF) should be concentrating on stopping the rot rather than getting involved in petty squabbles over the Christmas Market!”
by Julia, Bath
Friday, July 03 2009, 4:16PM
“I guess Sainsburys has better links with the city than Lidl. I personally would like to see more choice in Bath as the Sainsburys here is a poor example of what is often a good supermarket.”
by lesley, bath
Friday, July 03 2009, 4:11PM
“we need a lidls in bath, if sainsburys can have FOUR in town why cant we have ONE lidles to help with competion out side the town?”