Civic offices site sold to Asda
Bosses at Telford & Wrekin Council have agreed to sell its civic offices to supermarket giant Asda in a multi-million pound deal. Bosses at Telford & Wrekin Council have agreed to sell its civic offices to supermarket giant Asda in a multi-million pound deal. The proposed sale of the prime town centre site is seen by the council as an important part of its ambitious plans to bring Telford Town Centre into the 21st century. The deal was agreed by the council's cabinet on Monday and paves the way for the relocation of the offices and 860 employees based there. Asda, which has a store in the town centre as well as Donnington Wood in Telford, will now prepare its proposals for the site and a planning application is expected to be submitted in the coming months. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
The proposed sale of the prime town centre site is seen by the council as an important part of its ambitious plans to bring Telford Town Centre into the 21st century.
The deal was agreed by the council's cabinet on Monday and paves the way for the relocation of the offices and 860 employees based there.
Marketing of the Civic Offices site began last year and, after evaluation, a shortlist of bidders were chosen with Asda recommended as the preferred bidder.
The council said today it could not disclose any further information about the bids because of "commercial confidentiality".
Asda, which has a store in the town centre as well as Donnington Wood in Telford, will now prepare its proposals for the site and a planning application is expected to be submitted in the coming months.
The proposals could include a mixed use development, which may incorporate residential, retail and offices.
Councillor Andrew Eade, council leader, said: "This is another huge step forward in our plans for the regeneration of the borough and in making Telford a vibrant town centre.
"The quality of the bids received for the site is a clear signal of the confidence the business community has in the borough and in its future.
"We are now on the verge of delivering a scheme which has been talked about for many years and to provide best value for the residents of the borough. Through an open marketing process we have ensured we have met our legal and moral duty to achieve this.
"This council is determined to be a modern, efficient and effective organisation which delivers high quality services to the community."
Chris Marlow, Asda property communications manager, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as the successful bidder for the regeneration of the civic offices site. This gives us the opportunity to provide our customers with a better shopping experience, but also provides job security to colleagues at our existing store.
"We will now prepare our proposal for the site and look forward to discussing this with local representatives and the community later in the year."
A report will be presented to the council's cabinet later this year detailing options and recommendations for future civic offices.
