Agenda item

Future High Street Fund

Meeting of Cabinet, Tuesday 9 March 2021 2.00 pm (Item 123.)

Minutes:

Councillor Mark Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the Future High Street Fund item –

Plymouth had been given a decision in principle from the Future High Street Fund of £12 million which is expected to be received at the end of March. The project would include new events facilities, a creative hub, commercial space and 144 new apartments.

The Guildhall would be allocated £4 million to update and modernise the building to allow Plymouth to host more events with much improved facilities; significant investments would be allocated in the historic civic square.

This investment is likely to create a large footfall for the city and aimed to create 46,000 extra visitors and 25,000 hotel nights; bringing in £5 million a year; 300 permanent jobs and the creation of 300 construction jobs.

The Civic Centre would have 144 homes; the north block and basement would be converted to provide conferences; first floor would be allocated for smaller meeting and break out rooms and the ground floor would be allocated for larger conference rooms; the basement would become a large auditorium seating 600-800 delegates of different functions; the south block would have a range of commercial space which would work well alongside the conference offer including office space, leisure and restaurant usage.

The Guildhall would have a range of improvements in order to make the facility more accessible. The building will be modernised to provide high quality facilities on offer to residents and people using the facilities. Improvement include:

·	Improving the main entrance
·	Refurbishing the existing lifts
·	Making the reception area more welcoming and to have a more usable space
·	Improving access, the lighting and sound system, improving the toilets and bar area to the Drake room
·	Improving the lighting, sound systems, seating, staging and installing a new commercial kitchen to the Great Hall and first floor.
·	Second floor improvements to meeting rooms and office space

The Civic Square was still in the design process, but Plymouth City Council recognise it as a fundamental part in the High Street Fund Scheme as it provided a link between the two buildings and would provide a setting for City Centre functions and events. It was recognised that many of the original features had become warn and alterations had been made.

Further consultation with the general public would take place regarding the square and further planning applications will be submitted in relation to the conference and events facilities as well as the lower parts of the Civic Tower and basement.

It was noted that work on the redevelopments would start in 2022 with the Guildhall having a completion date of 2023 and the tower of 2024.

Cabinet members agreed -

·	The virement from Civic Centre to the Guildhall of £2.45m funding previously allocated within the Capital Programme.
·	To accept grant funding of £12,046,873 that is expected to be awarded by the Future High Streets Fund.
·	To allocate an additional £12,046,873 for the projects to the Capital Programme, if the funding was received from the Future High Streets Fund.
·	That all decisions to enter into all construction, demolition, funding and other relevant contracts associated with the Civic Centre and Guildhall projects (including, inter alia, a funding agreement with Urban Splash) was delegated to the Strategic Director for Place

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