Cost of empty Aylesbury Travel Information centre passes £80k
Buckinghamshire Council say they are trying to let the centre
Last updated 11th Feb 2021
Buckinghamshire Council say they have taken actions to reduce costs at the Aylesbury centre.
Taxpayers have paid more than £80,000 to keep Aylesbury’s empty Travel Information Centre running since 2011.
The site, on Walton Street next to Friars Square shopping centre, has racked up thousands in costs over the past decade despite being unused.
A freedom of information request sent by a Bucks resident revealed that from April 2011, the centre has cost taxpayers:
£48,440.41 in electricity up to 30 September 2020
£28,250 in business rates up to 31 March 2021
£5,119.67 in maintenance
Altogether, the kiosk has cost the council £81,810.08 over the past ten years.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, said this was a “massive waste of taxpayers’ money.”
Buckinghamshire Council provided this comment to GHR Bucks, Beds and Herts:
"Previous attempts to let this space fell through. The Council has taken actions to reduce operational costs and will look to try to let the space."
A spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the space had never been let as previous attempts to do had fallen through.
They added that the council has taken actions to reduce operational costs and will look to try to let the space.
In response to the resident’s FOI request, which was sent in January 2021, a council spokesperson expanded on the issues with leasing the site.
Their explanation read:
“Matters are complicated by the fact the council does not own the freehold of the land upon which the kiosk is situated (although it does form part of the highway) and cannot grant a tenancy until such time as it may be able to gain a legal interest in the land.
“The council is, however, continuing to have discussions with various interested parties.”
In December 2020, it was revealed Buckinghamshire Council would submit a bid to purchase nearby Friars Square shopping centre.