Development agreement signed and sealed at the Bath and West showground, Shepton Mallet

The Royal Bath and West of England Society is delighted to announce the recent signing of the Development Agreement for the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

100 acres of the 240 acre Showground is available for development in future years by London & Wharfedale, and their construction partner Sir Robert McAlpine.  This marks the start of an exciting programme of development, which will bring jobs to the area, and enhance the Showground.

Chief Executive of the Royal Bath and West of England Society, Dr Jane Guise said: “I am delighted we can move forward in tandem with our development partners to upgrade the facilities on our showground.  This is a very big moment in the history of the Society, and we are fortunate to have forged a partnership with London and Wharfedale, and Sir Robert McAlpine, both of whom have blue-chip reputations for delivery and quality”.

Chairman and Managing Director of London & Wharfedale, Mr Richard Froggatt, said: “We have all worked hard to secure a prosperous future for this unique and exciting site.  Great care has been taken to ensure the best use is made of the development land, and I am very much looking forward to getting started.  I would like to thank Dr Jane Guise, her Board of Directors and the Council of the Royal Bath and West of England for their support and assistance in getting to this point”.

Alder King Property Consultants and Burges Salmon Solicitors advised the Royal Bath and West of England Society on the Development Agreement, and Michelmores Solicitors advised London & Wharfedale

John Benson, Partner at Alder King, said ‘we are pleased to have been able to support the Society in this matter, and are looking forward to our ongoing role advising them as development gets underway.’

The Society now looks to the future with renewed energy and excitement.  Many companies have expressed an interest at being involved, and the Showground will become an even more important part of the rural economy of Somerset than it is currently.