Lidl plan rejected over fears for department store

Plans for a new supermarket have been refused over fears it could cause a Norfolk department store to close.

Norwich City Council rejected proposals for a Lidl on Barnard Road, Bowthorpe, at the site of the current Namco Funscape bowling alley.

The German supermarket chain had hoped to demolish the existing building to make way for a new branch but the plans were met with backlash from retailers including Aldi, Waitrose and Roys of Bowthorpe.

Councillors voted to block the application over concerns about the potential impact on nearby Roys, a well-known Norfolk brand founded 130 years ago.

The company objected to the application and said the potential impact of the supermarket on its trading had been "significantly underestimated".

While council officials argued the development would only result in a "small reduction" in the number of customers visiting Roys, the possibility of the store closing was a key concern among councillors.

Labour councillor Mike Sands said: "I haven't seen anything to suggest that this supermarket is something the local community either wants or needs.

"There are so many other shops in the area – this could cause Roys to close if it becomes unviable."

Fellow Labour councillor Sue Sands said: "The bowling alley is an important community facility and I don't want to see it replaced with another supermarket from a global conglomerate.

"There is particularly no need when we have shops in the area like Roys, Norfolk's own brand."

Councillors stressed the importance of the bowling alley, which is used by England squad members, due to it being accessible for disabled people.

They also raised concerns about the loss of trees on the site and it being difficult to access on bike or foot.

The plans were refused by the council's planning committee on Thursday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Namco Funscape said the company's lease on the building was due to end in 2027 and the decision on its future lay with the landlord.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.