Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts warehouses will be taken to the market
“There will be a lot of hot-desking and a lot of people can work from home. We want to make better use of technology and will be investing more than £1million to make the council fit for the 21st century.” With the move likely to be complete within months, it leaves the question of what will happen to their former home. The council will retain use of the top floor at North Warehouse, where the mayor’s parlour and main
council chamber is homed, but the Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts warehouses will be taken to the market. Cabinet members have appointed surveyors Jones Lang LaSalle and Bruton Knowles to find a new owner or tenant for the Grade II listed structure. Its prime location close to the city centre, the sparkling Quays development and on the water means that Cllr James is expecting a lot of interest. “It opens up the north of the Docks for regeneration and we will be taking it to the market shortly,” he said. “There is a restrictive covenant for its use, as offices, but we are speaking with the Canal and Rivers Trust to try and widen the options. “It could be that it’s a hotel, student accommodation or serviced apartments. I don’t think it is likely to be let as another office - as it's 70,000 square feet, so it’s a lot for a single occupier. “It’s a great location right on the water and we will take into account the mix of uses in the Docks when we make the decision. "For our move, we budgeted savings of £100,000 for 19/20 and another £100,000 for 2020/21.
The new customer services reception onWestgate Street
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