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Consultation has concluded
The Council wants to partner with an organisation to create much-needed co-working space for start-ups and growing businesses in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells. This will benefit the town, those making use of the building, and the Council.
Investment in the Town Hall to repair, maintain and preserve the listed building.
Shared running costs of the building for the length of the partnership.
Prime location for local businesses, creating jobs and bringing footfall to the town centre.
The Council is now seizing an opportunity to release up to two thirds of the space in the Town Hall for other businesses as its own space requirements reduce.
During the pandemic, most council staff worked almost exclusively from home.
Investment in technology and the continuing digitisation of services over the past few years meant the Council could continue to deliver the majority of its services remotely. New models of working have emerged – a move away from traditional office working and towards a combination of flexible working from home and in the office.
Co-working is an increasingly popular method of working. Co-working offers affordable space for those looking to escape the isolation of a home office or to meet face to face with remote teams.
Unlike traditional commercial office space, co-working focuses on creating a supportive business community whilst offering offices for those who wish to access more private space.
Tunbridge Wells has one of the largest start-up and small business communities in the country and therefore the Council considers this to be an ideal opportunity to support their needs whilst creating additional revenue from a building that is too big for the Council’s requirements.
The Cross-Party Working Group have focussed on producing a proposal for Full Council to consider an option that allows us to make the best use of the Town Hall as a facility.
This proposal will keep the Town Hall in the stewardship of the Council, generate an income stream and help the Town Centre.
Statement from members of the Cross Party Working Group, November 2021
"The future of the Town Hall is becoming clearer. As a cross-party working group with representation from all political parties on the Council, we have worked hard to find a way forward at a very uncertain time.
We want the Council to continue to occupy the Town Hall and put to good use the unneeded space by letting it out to a partner for co-working space. This will generate a revenue for the Council and reduce our costs whilst encouraging businesses to set up in the town centre.
Council Tax will not increase to pay for this scheme and the public should be reassured that the Council will remain in ownership of the Town Hall."
More information about this proposal is available in the FAQs section. If you have a question or comment, please submit it below by 31 December 2021.
The Q&A for this page is now closed.
The Council wants to partner with an organisation to create much-needed co-working space for start-ups and growing businesses in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells. This will benefit the town, those making use of the building, and the Council.
Investment in the Town Hall to repair, maintain and preserve the listed building.
Shared running costs of the building for the length of the partnership.
Prime location for local businesses, creating jobs and bringing footfall to the town centre.
The Council is now seizing an opportunity to release up to two thirds of the space in the Town Hall for other businesses as its own space requirements reduce.
During the pandemic, most council staff worked almost exclusively from home.
Investment in technology and the continuing digitisation of services over the past few years meant the Council could continue to deliver the majority of its services remotely. New models of working have emerged – a move away from traditional office working and towards a combination of flexible working from home and in the office.
Co-working is an increasingly popular method of working. Co-working offers affordable space for those looking to escape the isolation of a home office or to meet face to face with remote teams.
Unlike traditional commercial office space, co-working focuses on creating a supportive business community whilst offering offices for those who wish to access more private space.
Tunbridge Wells has one of the largest start-up and small business communities in the country and therefore the Council considers this to be an ideal opportunity to support their needs whilst creating additional revenue from a building that is too big for the Council’s requirements.
The Cross-Party Working Group have focussed on producing a proposal for Full Council to consider an option that allows us to make the best use of the Town Hall as a facility.
This proposal will keep the Town Hall in the stewardship of the Council, generate an income stream and help the Town Centre.
Statement from members of the Cross Party Working Group, November 2021
"The future of the Town Hall is becoming clearer. As a cross-party working group with representation from all political parties on the Council, we have worked hard to find a way forward at a very uncertain time.
We want the Council to continue to occupy the Town Hall and put to good use the unneeded space by letting it out to a partner for co-working space. This will generate a revenue for the Council and reduce our costs whilst encouraging businesses to set up in the town centre.
Council Tax will not increase to pay for this scheme and the public should be reassured that the Council will remain in ownership of the Town Hall."
More information about this proposal is available in the FAQs section. If you have a question or comment, please submit it below by 31 December 2021.
Yes, the Council will continue to operate from the Town Hall
Co-working is an increasingly popular method of working. Co-working offers affordable space for those looking to escape the isolation of a home office or to meet face to face with remote teams. Unlike traditional commercial office space, co-working focuses on creating a supportive business community whilst offering offices for those who wish to access more private space. Tunbridge Wells has one of the largest start-up and small business communities in the country and therefore the Council considers this to be an ideal opportunity to support their needs whilst creating additional revenue from a building that is too big for the Council’s requirements.
No, the Town Hall will not be demolished or knocked down.
Yes.
Yes
This project is part of ongoing improvements already delivered in the area, including the new Amelia Scott, the Crescent Road Car Park refurbishment and the public realm outside the Town Hall. Major investment in the Town Hall and preserving the future of the building is required. Some work has started including the replacement of the roof which will have improved environmental credentials, reducing the Council's carbon footprint. Improving the Town Hall will make it appealing for a tenant, and reduce the Council's long-term costs.
No, there will be no increase in Council Tax to pay for this project.
No, the Council will still be based in the Town Hall in Royal Tunbridge Wells and front of house services will be provided from The Amelia Scott when it opens in 2022.
The pandemic has demonstrated that the Council can work efficiently from a smaller office floorspace providing more flexibility to staff without affecting its services to residents. By shrinking our floorspace the Council can reduce its carbon footprint, business rates and other overheads to reduce the revenue budget. In addition the lease of space will bring activity to the town centre and provide an income stream to the Council.
Yes, the Council will still be undertaking its public meetings - Full Council, Cabinet, Planning, Overview & Scrutiny, Audit & Governance and the Cabinet Advisory Boards from the Town Hall. However we are likely to also be offering the chance to observe public meetings through the internet.
The Council will still be the owner of the Town Hall.
Given the investment required a lease to a partner of at least 15 years is proposed. Longer leases will be considered. If successful for both parties this can be extended.
The proposals will require planning permission for change of use. In addition as the building is a listed building, Listed Building Consent will be required. Planning and listed building consent will need to be applied for in the normal way.
The Council in seeking to relocate had highlighted that the building was too large for its office requirement and that the use of the committee rooms were inefficient. The large scale financial outlay in retaining the building was also highlighted. These issues still remain however, in shrinking our floorspace requirement and using a third party to manage other spaces, the Council can increase the use of the building and reduce some of its costs. As a solution this removes the uncertainty of the future of the building and minimises any vacancy. It does however mean that the Council needs to invest significantly in the building. It also means that as part of the Town Hall is not being released the same level of financial return cannot be secured.
Yes, it is expected that the internal image of the Town Hall will change in that it will look less local government. External changes are not expected to be significant if at all. If required these would be subject to planning applications.
Two thirds of the office space will be converted into managed offices for small and new businesses. The Council will continue to be based in the Town Hall but on a reduced office floorspace. The Civic meeting spaces will be shared and Council public meetings will still be in the Town Hall.
The Council will consider the proposals from a number of companies through a public procurement process. Each company seeking to become the Council’s partner is required to provide a business plan and case, outlining their financial commitments, contributions and any potential financial returns. The Council has in principle established a budget of up to £5m to enable it to engage in discussions. The Council will consider the business cases presented and the benefits either directly or indirectly to the Council (and delivery of your services) and to the economy of the town centre. The Council will also consider the value of any investment it may need to make in the Town Hall as part of this proposal. A full report will be provided to Cabinet for a decision on the preferred option.
The Council is retaining the freehold ownership of the building. To enable a private sector partner to operate from the Town Hall, the maintenance of the building and being wind and weather tight is essential for its long-term use and to ensure that the structural security of the building is not an issue going forward.
Yes. The building in its present form requires significant investment to repair or refurbish. The Council has made a commitment to remain in the Town Hall and reduce our carbon footprint by making the best use of resources and limiting energy loss. As part of this commitment, the roof of the Town Hall and Assembly Hall Theatre are currently being replaced.
There will be no change to the buildings listed status.
