Lidl has confirmed it wants to buy the demolished site next door to its Mastrick branch, which was once home to Aberdeen Journals.
The Press and Journal’s move from Broad Street to Lang Stracht in 1970 was a major moment in the history of the newspaper, with new custom-built offices there.
In 2018, the P&J and its sister title The Evening Express moved back to the city centre.
In the years that followed, the huge office site once home to printing presses was bulldozed.
And now council documents have revealed the behind-closed-doors talks that went on over the future of the spot.
What has happened to Lang Stracht site?
German grocery chain Lidl had fairly firm plans to relocate to the larger site next door to its Lang Stracht shop, which opened in 2000.
Relocation of the current Lidl in Mastrick was on the cards three years ago.
Even as it underwent a £500,000 refurbishment in December 2021, the supermarket giants confirmed they were still looking to move.
Council documents published ahead of a meeting about the land state that elected members were poised to sell up to Lidl in June 2022, following an “unsolicited offer to purchase”.
“This proposed purchase was progressed but did not conclude when Lidl withdrew,” the report adds.
What does Lidl say?
However, supermarket bosses say their dedicated property team “has been in continuous dialogue with the council”.
A spokesman said: “We are fully committed to delivering a new store for households in Mastrick and securing the Lang Stracht site.
“As such, our dedicated property team are keen to continue their engagement with the council to conclude negotiations.”
What now for Lang Stracht land?
Aberdeen City Council has been left in charge of the land, which is designated as Common Good, and is seeking to offload it.
This will require a formal process.
Local authority chiefs say there has been “some recent interest” in it, and are keen to advertise it for sale.
Are there any other retailers you would like to see take over the site? Let us know in our comments section below
They added that the site is “surplus to requirements” and “no longer generating an income”.
Lidl have been approached for comment.
You can read the full council report here.
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