No to relocation of Council Offices

Regeneration officers from Wyre Borough Council are recommending that a relocation of the Civic Centre does not take place in the current economic climate.

Cabinet members will shortly consider a report advising against joining forces with Booths at the present time for a development in the centre of Poulton.

The suggested scheme would have seen new council offices alongside a proposed new Booths store on the Teanlowe Centre car park.

However, the likely withdrawal by the council does not necessarily put an end to future town centre regeneration and as a landowner, Booths is reiterating its wish to be a major player in this.

Garry Payne, Director of Planning and Regeneration, explained: "The council received 30 expressions of interest in taking this project forward, which was very encouraging.

"However, with all the uncertainty surrounding the future funding of local government and the complexities of pursuing a major development such as this, we felt it was the wrong time to relocate, either in Poulton or elsewhere in Wyre.

"The regeneration team will, however, continue to encourage alternative investment in all of Wyre's towns and villages.

Peter Gibson, who is set to become council Leader this evening, said: "The Cabinet has yet to formally consider the report, but with an ever-tightening squeeze on our finances it appears that pursuing a relocation of the Civic Centre would not be the most appropriate use of resources at this current time."

Booths still holds planning permission to develop its existing store on Ball Street, but has indicated to the council that it will continue to explore other potential investment opportunities in Poulton town centre.

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