Lidl picks up Salford site pegged for affordable homes

Plans for 268 affordable homes on the former Buzz Bingo site off Hankinson Way look to be dead in the water with the supermarket chain progressing plans for a replacement for its Fitzwarren Street store a short distance away.

Rapidly expanding supermarket chain Lidl has acquired the Buzz Bingo site from Zetland Capital. The investor bought the asset in 2021 as part of a 37-strong portfolio of Buzz Bingo’s nationally.

In 2022, Zetland partnered with Donard Affordable Homes to bring forward plans for a three-block residential scheme topping out at nine storeys. The plans, which proposed 117 one-bedroom apartments, 137 with two bedrooms, 10 three-bedroom flats and a quartet of three-bedroom maisonettes, were approved by Salford City Council in 2023.

Now, Lidl has applied to Salford City Council for permission to knock down the bingo hall. Plans for a store will be submitted separately.

Lidl was contacted for comment.

Savills advised Zetland on the sale of the two-acre site.