THE LEADER of Warwick District Council has welcomed the authority’s decision to move its headquarters to the multi-storey car park at Covent Garden.
The council has long been looking to relocate from its current premises at Riverside House on Milverton Hill in a bid to save money.
Various options – including Leamington Town Hall and a site in front of the Spa Centre – have been considered over the years before a shortlist was created back in November 2014.
And at a recent meeting, members of the council’s executive opted to follow officers’ recommendations by choosing the site between Tavistock Street and Russell Street as its preferred location for a new HQ.
It is understood building the headquarters and replacing the multi-storey car park would cost somewhere in the region of £16million, with the council aiming to make £4.42 million from the sale of its Riverside House site.
The new council space will include the head office, council chamber and the town centre’s CCTV control centre, together with new car parking in lieu of the current spaces.
A ‘next stage’ feasibility and viability assessment into the potential redevelopment of the site will now be undertaken by the Warwick Limited Liability Partnership before further evaluation work is considered by councillors in January.
Council leader Andrew Mobbs told The Observer he was delighted with the potential move.
He said: “The proposed new office will be more efficient than the current building, which will significantly reduce the council’s running costs.
“The regeneration work and new car park will also ensure Leamington continues to be a desirable destination for both residents and visitors.”
Work could begin in 12 months’ time with the offices opening in spring 2018.
