Is Salisbury City Hall a step closer to reopening?
'Multiple parties' have registered interest in leasing the venue
Salisbury City Hall has moved a step closer to reopening after a number of organisations registered interest in leasing the building from Wiltshire Council.
The council is working with real estate company Savills to market the venue in the hopes of securing a lease in excess of 25 years.
At an Area Board meeting in Salisbury earlier this week, the Council confirmed multiple parties had registered interest to Savills in taking on a long-term lease to operate the building.
Confirmation of the interested parties cannot be released due to the commercial nature of the situation.
At the end of September, Savills will ask interested parties to confirm views on the lease and scheduling. Savills will then make recommendations to the council based on the outcomes.
It has been stipulated that any organisation operating Salisbury City Hall must use it as an entertainment venue.
Wiltshire Council will also retain ownership of the venue.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the council, said: “We’re pleased that there has been interest in City Hall as given its heritage and location in the centre of Wiltshire’s only city it offers so much potential for a successful future. We see a successful re-opened City Hall complementing the wider cultural offer of Salisbury and all the other investment currently taking place in the city.
“We want Salisbury City Hall to be sustainable for the long-term at no extra cost to the Wiltshire Council taxpayer and that’s why this due diligence is so essential – we want to get this right.
“Due to the commercial nature of the conversations, and with the marketing still ongoing for a short time longer, we can’t share any further specific details at this stage, but we will keep everyone updated as soon as we’re able to.”
As part of the process, the council has invited any potential interested tenants to submit social value plans. When appropriate the council will have separate discussions relating to the added social value that can be delivered through City Hall and how the venue can contribute to the aims and objectives set out in the council’s new Cultural Strategy for Wiltshire, which was formally adopted in July.
Salisbury Area Board and other stakeholders will be updated and made aware of any major milestones, including if a deal is reached with a provider.