Quadrangle could get revamp for council and arts hub
EYESORE building the Quadrangle could be given a makeover and turned into a new home for Cheltenham Borough Council and the arts community.
The council has revealed it is on its list of potential bases in the event of a move away from the Municipal Offices.
MP Martin Horwood wants the structure to form an arts hub for the town. And, as part of the move, ugly concrete cladding could be replaced, while the gap between the building and the adjoining Town Hall could be filled to create one venue.
Cabinet member for corporate services, Councillor Colin Hay (LD, Oakley), said: "We are looking at the Quadrangle, but along with all sorts of others.
"The Quadrangle has some particular opportunities, like the proximity to the town hall, and there is a possibility that at the back there could be some sort of civic square.
"The appearance is a drawback, but from what I understand the building has a centre structure and, in effect, it is clad on the outside and I'm told there is the potential to change the exterior."
The council has 700 employees, with many based at the Municipal Offices. But the amount of space used, on average, is only 54 per cent, leaving 4,600 sq ft empty.
The Quadrangle is owned by investment firms, but Royal Bank of Scotland has a lease until 2018. There is enough space for the council.
Plans to look for a new office were approved in July. But Mr Hay said the authority was not looking at an imminent move, and it was considering offices such as Cheltenham House and the magistrates' court.
Mr Horwood said: "As a multi-purpose development, we could look at something very exciting.
"As anybody can see, the current exterior is not right and it isn't good enough to have a crumbling office block in a prime location."
Mr Horwood warned that any arts centre would have to be commercially viable.
Andrew Lansley, of Cheltenham Arts and Music Network, said: "It's probably fair to say the best way to look at it is with your back turned and, if you could re-purpose the building as a cultural hub to provide community facilities, that would be a good thing."
The proposal gained support from Cheltenham Civic Society chairman Stephen Clarke, who said: "We think it's quite a good site for them and if the site could be refurbished or renovated, that could be a very good move."
Friends of Imperial Square and Gardens chairman, David Stennett, also backed any sympathetic work done to improve the site.
OPINION, P8
7 Comments
by iwantthebestf
Monday, December 05 2011, 8:24PM
“The Town hall was the first ugly excrescence on Imperial Square, it created a precedent, which this even uglier lump, between them, have destroyed one of the finest squares in the country.”
by echoing
Monday, December 05 2011, 11:17AM
“The council has 700 employees, with many based at the Municipal Offices. But the amount of space used, on average, is only 54 per cent, leaving 4,600 sq ft empty.
700 ? My tax demand said it was just over 500.
There is a Trusted Source logo at the top of the article. Looks like one that can't be trusted.”
by sideshowb
Monday, December 05 2011, 7:42AM
“daveofglos: good point, makes me think the council approve most building projects it would seem - without 'thinking' too hard”
by Dave_t10
Sunday, December 04 2011, 3:52PM
“Why should the Council relocate to another venue in central Cheltenham?
Surely to save costs, a far better opportunity would be somewhere out-of-town where the rents would be far lower.
Converting the empty MFI store at the Kingsditch retail park would seem far better. Easier access, lower rents etc, perhaps then they wouldn't need to keep putting the council tax up.”
by raidermanuk
Saturday, December 03 2011, 11:04PM
“I too find this building to be visually acceptable. I can understand why others don't share my view but I'd be very cautious about spending money on major alterations purely to improve aesthetics. Indeed, those "others" might not think this is the right (economic) time to polish a ****!”
by daveofglos
Saturday, December 03 2011, 2:11PM
“Isn't it curious - the vagaries of fashion? Clearly when this building was conceived and erected, it had the backing of the client and the council approved it for planning. It would be interesting if a reporter could dig up a contemporary account of the building and how people viewed it on completion.
Now 30 years later "taste" has changed and the building's no longer fashionable - so no one wants it as it is. Sad how purely visual perceptions are so controlling...
Personally I can't see anything wrong with it - why not retain it as it is and in 30 years more time it may be loved again. After all we now decry everyone who knocked down "ugly" Victorian buildings 30 years ago because no one liked them then...”
by Matt1006
Saturday, December 03 2011, 1:30PM
“This building does need sorting out. Whether it's a suitable home for CBC to relocate to is debatable. Only a stone's throw from the Municipal Offices, so moving costs should be kept down, I suppose.
But, if CBC move in, the costs of refurbishing the building should be met by the landlord, and not CBC (i.e. us). CBC should make it a condition of their signing of a lease that the works are done first, and not at their cost. If the landlord wants to use CBC as a cash-cow to pay for the repairs they have need to do for years now, CBC should tell them to get stuffed.”