County council office exodus in Chichester is boon for commerce
A major office switch from councils to commerce is to take place in Chichester city centre.
The accommodation to be released on to the market is currently occupied by local government staff, who are being moved into headquarters buildings, providing better working conditions for them and improved services to the public.
West Sussex County Council plans to vacate five leased buildings totalling nearly 22,000sq ft of offices.
Chichester District Council is to vacate two floors totalling more than 1,800sq ft.
Thirty years ago, the county council was under fire from conservationists for stretching what they called its 'tentacles' over the city, occupying more and more offices.
Now the octopus trend is in reverse mode, as the authority centralises more of its operations at County Hall.
At the same time, Chichester District Council is planning to vacate office space it currently occupies in South Street, moving staff into its East Pallant House headquarters, where a refurbishment and extension programme is under way.
The county council is to spend 1.5m on improvements at County Hall over a period of time, but the cost will be met from savings resulting from the move out of the five buildings.
A recent report by the district's economic development department said there was a shortage of commercial floorspace in the district, and a high demand for premises for modern high-tech businesses requiring a more sustainable city centre location.
Businesses were having to look elsewhere because of lack of suitable premises.
Cllr Louise Goldsmith, the county cabinet member for finance and resources, told the Observer the changes at County Hall would provide a really great working environment for staff and better services for the community.
"I'm 110 per cent behind them," she declared.
They would also release valuable office space in central Chichester and reduce the county council's carbon footprint.
Offices to be vacated are:
Sussex House, Crane Street – 4,992sq ft
44-45 West Street – 6,472sq ft
The Chambers, Chapel Street – 1,110sq ft
City Gates, Southgate – 2,882sq ft
Ambassador House, Crane Street – 6,460sq ft
Total square footage: 21,916sq ft
Sussex House will be the first building to be vacated next month, with Ambassador House the final lease to expire, in December, 2009.
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