Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) has appointed Milligan to review several, strategically important, council owned sites that have been identified for redevelopment across Bath city centre. The review and subsequent delivery plan will aim to strengthen the city’s future as a global destination built on heritage and innovation.
The appointment marks a major step forward in the council’s ambition to enhance Bath’s economic, cultural, and visitor experience. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath is internationally recognised for its Georgian architecture, natural hot springs and rich historic identity. Milligan will explore new uses and commercial opportunities across several underutilised sites, ensuring they better serve residents, businesses and visitors while respecting the city’s unique character.
Milligan brings deep expertise in regeneration partnerships, development and asset management, building on more than 20 years of working with local authorities and private-sector partners to transform complex urban environments. Several members of the Milligan team previously helped deliver Bath SouthGate, one of the city’s most significant modern regeneration projects, providing valuable local insight and a proven track record in Bath.
Milligan as a retail and leisure led mixed-use developer will combine feasibility analysis, commercial strategy, design intelligence and asset management expertise to unlock value and accelerate delivery.
Working alongside B&NES, Milligan and its wider team of specialists will:
- Explore feasibility and future uses across key council-owned city-centre sites
- Identify untapped place-based opportunities, particularly within Bath’s tourism and visitor economy
- Support the city’s ambition to fuse heritage and innovation, ensuring Bath remains globally competitive while staying true to its historic identity
- Maximise commercial, social and community value, strengthening long-term income and resilience for the council
- Engage with key city-wide stakeholders to involve the wider community’s views are heard and considered
Elevating Bath’s visitor offer to a world-class experience
The partnership will help B&NES level up Bath’s already strong tourism appeal, drawing on the city’s unparalleled heritage while embracing new ideas alongside strategic partners to help deliver new experiences and innovations. Insights developed through the partnership will support Bath’s evolution into a world-class destination that celebrates the past and confidently shaping its future.
Stuart Harris, CEO at Milligan, said: “Bath is one of the world’s great cities. It’s steeped in heritage yet full of potential for new ideas and innovation. We’re delighted to be working with B&NES to unlock opportunities across the city centre and bring forward imaginative, commercially grounded solutions that benefit residents, visitors and the local economy. Our long history in Bath, including delivering SouthGate, gives us a deep understanding of its character and ambition.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “I welcome this appointment which supports our economic vision for a fair, green, creative and connected Bath with North East Somerset.
“We want to see infrastructure that supports a green and connected future; innovation that drives a creative and resilient economy and opportunities that are unlocked for everyone so that we are fair and inclusive. Getting that right will bring benefits to all our communities.”
