Decision details

Proceed with contract and lease awards which will progress a food hall fit out following a procurement exercise and lease to an established restauranteur operator and welcomed as part of the Night-time Economy partnership.
To note that this option also allows the Council to access £1.103m of FHSF grant funding.

RESOLVED - That:
i.The award of the fitout contract for a food hall to the successful tenderer following a procurement exercise.
ii.Under the Contract Procedure Rules it is proposed to apply Rule 21.3 (k) of Public Contract Regulations 2015 due to a later amendment to the scope of the original tender.
iii.The installation of Heritage doors and minor works at the Old Town Hall to be progressed.
iv.The letting of The Egyptian Room to an established restaurateur.
v.The Council continue with the existing Professional Appointments.
vi.A revised budget is allocated to this project.

Option 1 Progress the fit out for a food hall which would complement the Parliament Square area and assist the night time economy. This option also allows the Council to access FHSF grant.
Option 2 Do nothing, moth ball and leave vacant.
Option 3 Convert to offices. This option would require significant capital expenditure and is a concept presently being progressed at nearby Spindles.
Option 4 Wait for a single leisure/restaurant use. This option has been investigated and there is presently no significant demand for a single restaurant/leisure type use for a size of space as the Egyptian Room.

Option 2 Do nothing, moth ball and leave vacant.
Option 3 Convert to offices. This option would require significant capital expenditure and is concept presently being progressed at nearby Spindles.
Option 4 Wait for a single leisure/restaurant use. This option has been investigated and there is presently no significant demand for a single restaurant/leisure type use for a size of space as the Egyptian Room.

Officers in legals, audit and finance have been consulted in drafting the reports.
The Government's Future High Street Fund have been consulted and approved the Egyptian Room Business Case and award of £1.103m Grant Funding for this project.