Redevelopment Q&A

What is the scheme?

There are no firm plans in place. We are consulting the local community and wider stakeholders to understand their aspirations for the ground and consider all options. We are consulting on the possibility of providing a mixed-use community development which should include a new grandstand alongside community facilities. In addition we are looking at the possible regeneration of the parade of shops on the High Street.

Why?

We’re looking at these options to secure the long term financial future of the club. Without significant investment in infrastructure and facilities to generate more income the future of football at Twerton Park is uncertain. Twerton is a fantastic community and we’re excited to be involved in this project. We’re proud of our football club and we want the best for them, so we’re looking to invest to make improvements for the club, its fans and the local community.

What are the timescales?

We are aiming to spend a year working up proposals with the architects and in conjunction with supporters and the community, with an aim to submit a planning application in late 2018, and to start on site at the end of the 2018/19 season.

What will happen to Bath City matches while works take place?

The aim is that BCFC will continue to play matches at Twerton Park through the redevelopment process, although this will need to be reviewed alongside any Health and Safety considerations and maintaining facilities for supporters.

How will this development affect the community ownership of the club?

These proposals do not affect the community ownership of the club. They will in fact put the club in a much stronger financial position. If the scheme gets granted planning permission the club will receive a cash injection to enable it to clear its debts.

What will Bath City FC be gaining from the development?

While the financial returns are vital to the future of the football club, the main aims of the proposals are to secure a long-term future for BCFC at Twerton Park by repaying the Club’s debts, providing improved facilities for supporters and players, and enhancing the Club’s future revenue streams. The redevelopment will provide a new grandstand, including changing rooms, officials and physio rooms, improved spectator facilities and the necessary club and community facilities needed to create increased year round revenues.

Who is Greenacre Capital and what does they own?

Greenacre is a London-based private investment company that works across property, independent living and clean energy projects. The company works in partnership with governments, investors and charities globally to identify investment opportunities that are both profitable and socially responsible. Discussions between Bath City FC and Greenacre have been ongoing for a considerable period of time and in light of these, Greenacre recently acquired the parade of shops on Twerton High Street, including McColls and the Co-op, and also a strip of land between this parade and BCFC’s car park, creating the opportunity for a more ambitious development that can significantly regenerate the centre of Twerton. Greenacre’s acquisition of these elements clearly demonstrates their resources and commitment to our joint proposals.

If these proposals don’t go ahead will Bath FC have to sell and move?

If a major development does not take place, which will create better facilities for the Club and the community and which will generate more revenue long-term and clear the Club’s debts, then the future is likely to see an enforced move to a sub-optimal facility elsewhere and complete redevelopment of the ground, with the Club no longer at Twerton. We believe that this would be a major loss to BCFC, to Bath and to the community.