WARWICK District Council has drawn up a shortlist of possible sites for a new headquarters.
The Observer reported earlier this year the council’s plans to move from its current HQ at Riverside House in Leamington to a purpose built HQ on land next to the town’s Spa Centre.
That was put on hold when the council decided to consider other options including Leamington Town Hall.
From a long list of options in and around the district, councillors will be asked next week to agree a shortlist of four. They include:
* Court Street car park, and adjoining council-owned land, in Leamington’s Old Town
* The Spa Centre option
* Covent Garden surface car park in Leamington
* Redevelopment of the council’s existing Riverside House HQ
While the town hall is no longer on the shortlist, the report says the Royal Mail sorting office behind the now empty post office, opposite All Saints Church, would be included were it to become available. The report highlights the sorting office may make a suitable site for the library if it was relocated as part of proposals for a Cultural Quarter.
All the shortlisted sites are on council-owned land, and being in town would retain the ‘spending power’ of the council’s 340 employees.
Council leader Andrew Mobbs said: “This is an incredibly important decision for everyone in the district. We need HQ offices that are fit for purpose, accessible and allow us to continue to deliver high quality services for the public we serve.
“I also think that we make a statement that we’re supporting Leamington and its businesses and keeping our economic spending power in the town centre.”
Council deputy chief executive Bill Hunt added the move would save at least £300,000.
