A section of the land owned by Bath Rugby at Lambridge alongside its training facilities has been sold to discount supermarket group Lidl GB for a new food store.
At the same time, the Premiership club has also permanently transferred the training pitches and clubhouse at Lambridge to Bath RFC, securing the amateur club’s long-term future on the site.
The sale and transfer, financial details of which have not been disclosed, is the result of a post-pandemic review of its assets by Bath Rugby, including Lambridge, which faces onto London Road on the eastern edge of the city.
The Lambridge facilities – currently run by Bath RFC – are used by Bath RFC Juniors, Bath Rugby Ladies 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams, Bath Ladies Trojans mixed-ability team and other organisations including Bath Rugby Foundation and local schools.
Bath Rugby chief executive Tarquin McDonald said: “This land transaction unlocks the potential of land directly adjacent to the amateur club’s training facilities and will provide investment in the amateur club.
“This will create funding opportunities for the amateur club, helping the facilities at Lambridge to be revitalised.
“This will also enable Bath Rugby to invest in our wider community rugby programmes and the women’s pathway and professional team, assisting amateur rugby to grow and thrive in the long term.”
He said the club was impressed by Lidl GB’s commitment to deliver a high-quality sensitive design, pictured above, with consideration to the local setting and sustainable features, such as proposing to incorporate local Bath stone, natural timber cladding, air source heat pumps, a green roof and electric vehicle rapid charging facilities.
Bath RFC president Danny Sacco added: “The relationship between the amateur and professional clubs has never been stronger.
“Our long-term future at Lambridge is now secure and we can invest in the next generation of rugby players.”
No details of the size of the Lidl store have yet been made public. Lidl GB said its plans and initial proposals would be shared with the public and local businesses ahead of any planning application being submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Lidl GB regional head of property Glen Stidever said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with Bath Rugby to acquire vacant land adjoining the Lambridge training ground.
“A new Lidl store at Lambridge would enhance access to Lidl’s high-quality and affordable produce for local residents, on the eastern side of Bath and outlying villages.
“We are committed to working with Bath Rugby, the local community, and the local authority to deliver an exceptional store, in keeping with our company’s wider commitments to sustainability and that which is befitting of this location in Bath.
“We now look forward to developing our plans further through extensive public and pre-application consultation with the local community, local traders, and local planning authority before submitting a full planning application next year.”
Lidl GB has operated in the UK since opening its first store in 1994. It now has more than 935 outlets across the country, including one in the West of Bath on Lower Bristol Road at Twerton.
