A new supermarket conflict has erupted in Bath as Morrisons, Co-op, and Waitrose formally object to Lidl’s plans to open a store on London Road, a location on the eastern edge of the city.
Lidl had previously withdrawn a controversial proposal for the site last July, citing the need for further highways surveys and planning improvements. Committed to establishing a presence in Bath, the budget chain resubmitted updated plans in May this year. These revisions focused on addressing key concerns, particularly traffic management on busy London Road.
However, the new proposal has reignited debate. Hundreds of responses have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning portal, with the majority opposing the development. Morrisons, Waitrose, and the Co-op have all lodged formal objections.
Morrisons warns the new Lidl could reduce their city centre store’s turnover by nearly 25%, significantly more than Lidl’s own estimate of 10%. They argue this decline threatens the viability of their Bath location and could negatively affect the overall health of the city centre’s retail environment. Morrisons also highlights potential impacts on smaller local convenience stores in Bath’s neighborhoods, particularly Larkhall, which heavily depends on its local shops.
Waitrose expresses doubts about the retail impact assessment submitted by Lidl, believing it fails to clearly show that the store would not have a significant adverse effect on Bath’s city centre. They emphasize that their store supports the vitality and foot traffic of the wider shopping area, and any negative consequences warrant careful consideration by planning authorities.
The Co-op raises sustainability concerns, stating the proposed Lidl would be four times larger than their current unit and is poorly located, relying heavily on customers traveling by car rather than more environmentally friendly options.
In response, Lidl’s regional head of property, Glen Stidever, underscored the careful planning and consultation behind the new proposal. He highlighted improvements in design, traffic management, and landscaping aimed at ensuring the store fits harmoniously into the community while meeting demand for affordable groceries. Lidl also noted the new store could create up to 40 jobs and reduce customers’ travel by nearly a third, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 82 tonnes annually.
The fate of the application now rests with Bath and North East Somerset Council, which will make a decision later this year.