Wokingham Borough Council consider HQ move
The council is considering the old M&S store as their new home
Last updated 29th Sep 2023
Wokingham Borough Council is considering a move.
The council say their Shute End office is now too big for their needs and the running costs are very high – around £1.1million per year. Not only that, they say Shute End is not energy efficient.
By 2030, there is a legal requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B. Shute End is currently rated at EPC D and they say it would cost more than £1million to bring it up to standard.
They've now agreed that 28 to 38 Peach Street in Wokingham (the former Marks & Spencer building) is the preferred alternative headquarters location and approved for more detailed feasibility and planning work to take place. The outcome of this work will be reported back to the Executive next year (2024).
Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of the council, said:
“We’re facing unprecedented financial challenges and we are having to make difficult decisions about many of our services to help reduce costs and prioritise funding to support those most in need. Therefore, it is only right and proper that we look at the buildings we own and see where we can make efficiencies. Since the pandemic our working practices have changed.
“Our Civic Offices at Shute End have become far too expensive to run given the current circumstances.
"Thanks to modern flexible working practices, especially working part of the week from home or other locations, a building of this size is no longer needed. There are environmental benefits too as Shute End is not energy efficient and to bring it up to the legal requirement by 2010 would require a significant investment – money we simply don’t have.
“We can, therefore, save the council taxpayer money by moving to smaller accommodation that is cheaper to run and more energy efficient. This is a positive move.”
This is a long-term project which would be subject to planning permission and the council doesn’t envisage moving into its new headquarters until early 2027.