Decision details

To approve Option 3 – closure of the Wansdyke Business Centre and returning the long leasehold to the market, as office, industrial and warehouse accommodation.

NOTE: on 16^th March 2023 this decision was called-in by 17 Councillors.  The call-in request was verified by the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer.

The Wansdyke Business Centre is loss-making and requires a subsidy from the Council.  If the Centre were to remain in operation significant investment would be required, which in turn would result in rental charges that vastly exceed comparative market rates.

The provision of services offices or offices for SMEs is currently considered to be sufficiently provided for in the private sector in the locality, and no additional Council support in the form of a dedicated building for such purpose is considered necessary.  Other business support services are available from the Council.

There is no demand from the Council to utilise the offices for additional staffing provision.

As a result, and considering the critical lack of supply of industrial/warehouse accommodation in Bath & North East Somerset, the decision to approve closure of the Wansdyke Business Centre and return to market as office, industrial and warehouse has been taken.

Fouroptions havebeen considered: -

Option1 considersthe necessaryimprovements and estimatedcosts of renovating the Wansdyke Business Centre, that could justify the minimum average rental levels.

Option 2 assesses likely centre demand at the minimum average rental levels with no major refurbishment taking place, onlynecessary works.

Option 3 considers closure of the Wansdyke Business Centre and returning the long leasehold to the market, as office, industrial and warehouse accommodation.

Option4 Occupation byCouncil Staff/Departments

The provision of serviced offices or offices for SME’s is currently considered to be sufficiently provided for in the private sector in the locality, and no additional Council support in the form of a dedicated building for such purpose is considered necessary. Other business support services are available from the Council.

Options 1 &2 are therefore discountedand would resultin savings of expenditure and resources. Option 4 has been considered, however, there appears to be sufficient property within the Council’s corporate property estate to satisfy any requirements for additional offices for administration or other purposes.