"We’re delighted to play a part in bringing this site forward and supporting housing delivery in a region where new homes are critically needed"
- James Helmore - Paragon Bank
A prominent brownfield site in central Bath is set to undergo a major transformation, as Paragon Bank has agreed a £32.5m development finance facility with City & Country to support the regeneration of the former Bath Press site.
Located on Lower Bristol Road, the 5.3-acre site was previously home to the Pitman Press printing works, once led by Sir Isaac Pitman, the creator of a globally recognised shorthand method. The development will retain the original Bath Press façade while introducing a mix of apartments, houses, and commercial space.
Construction began earlier this year, and the scheme will be delivered in phases over the next four years. The first homes are expected to complete from winter 2026.
The new neighbourhood will be within walking distance of Bath Western Riverside and its cafés, gym and riverside paths linking to the city centre. Bath Spa railway station, just over a mile away, offers direct trains to Bristol Temple Meads in under 15 minutes and to London Paddington in around 90 minutes.
Paragon’s funding supports both the site acquisition and the delivery of the scheme’s first phase. This will provide 134 apartments, nine of which will be affordable, and 12 houses. The project aims to meet the rising demand for housing in the area, driven by limited supply, strong transport connections, and the city's enduring appeal to professionals, downsizers and families alike.
“City & Country is a proven developer with a unique approach to blending heritage restoration and contemporary living,” said James Helmore, relationship director at Paragon Bank. “We’re delighted to play a part in bringing this site forward and supporting housing delivery in a region where new homes are critically needed.”
Paragon’s development finance division has supported similar projects in Exeter, Bristol and Cheltenham in recent months. Last year, it passed the £3bn lending milestone, backing SME developers across the South West and wider UK.
City & Country’s plans for the Bath Press site build on its previous regional projects, including Factory No. 1 and The General in Bristol, as well as Burderop Park in Wiltshire.
“Bath Press is a hugely important acquisition for us, offering the opportunity to create a thriving community in a location with exceptional heritage and connectivity,” said Wayne Douglas, managing director at City & Country. “Bath is a city of global significance, and this development will reflect the high quality and placemaking that City & Country is known for.”
