September 15, 2017 9.56 am This story is over 78 months old

Council to move out of Scunthorpe civic centre building

Staff will be moved closer to the centre of the town.
The Civic Centre in Scunthorpe. North Lincolnshire Council head offices.

North Lincolnshire Council is looking to find an alternative use for the Grade II listed civic centre in Scunthorpe.

The council is now looking for a new developer or joint venture partner to bring forward the redevelopment of its headquarters.

Staff currently based at the site on Ashby Road will be moved to Church Square House, closer to the centre of the town.

They will now be situated next to the site of the new £5 million Ongo Headquarters, where work is underway.

This comes after the council announced plans to transform the town centre – part of a £60 million regeneration scheme.

Chris Fairbrother, group manager for asset and estate management at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Now is the time to start seeking a developer or joint venture partner to bring forward the redevelopment of the civic centre.

“This Grade II listed building has been an important landmark building within the town since its construction in the mid-1960s and it is important that we secure the best terms for the building and the right sort of redevelopment.”

Councillor Neil Poole, cabinet member for investment, asset management and employment at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It is a striking building, set in beautiful parkland so creates a fantastic opportunity for the right person or company.

“At this stage, we are open to ideas and will soon be inviting expressions of interest from potential developers and joint venture partners from October 20.”

Sam Elkington, director at Lambert Smith Hampton’s Lincoln office, which is working with the council to find an alternative use for the building, added: “Being involved in this disposal of an important asset such as the civic centre for North Lincolnshire Council is a prestigious instruction for us to have secured.

“Being so well located as they are on the edge of Central Park and with easy access to the town centre, one envisages that the likely use for the building going forward is going to be a residential redevelopment incorporating the public features such as the civic suite and council chamber into some form of leisure activity.

“It could also potentially be used as a hotel.”

Video: Scunthorpe town centre to be transformed with £60m investment