The former Woolworths building in Bargoed is to be be turned into office space for council workers.
Cabinet members of Caerphilly County Borough Council have agreed to spend £500,000 to convert the lower and middle floors of the building into 600 square metres of office space to house council services.
The building was bought by the council with a £325,000 Heads of the Valleys grant in March 2010. The retail space in the building was subsequently let to The Original Factory Shop chain after EU funds to transform the whole building into office space failed to materialise.
According to a report presented to cabinet councillors on Tuesday, there has been a lack of interest in the any proposed offices from the private sector.
The report reads: “The former Woolworth building at Bargoed was originally acquired with a HoV grant of £325k in March 2010 with the intention to convert to offices in order to ‘kick start’ the Business Quarter designated in the northern part of Bargoed Town Centre.
“The original intention was to convert the building with EU grant, however, this never materialised and in January 2011 it was agreed to let the High Street level (the upper level) to a retailer. The middle and lower floors with 600 square metres of usable space remain vacant.
“This is a key building in terms of its size and location and presents the best opportunity to develop an employment role for Bargoed through creation of office space adjacent to the new public transport interchange.
“There has been a lack of private interest in such a development and this has encouraged officers to consider the role that the authority has, as the largest employer in the county borough, in utilising this potential office space by transferring existing services into the building.
“It is estimated, although no firm plans have been developed, that some 50 staff and equipment could be accommodated within the space available and the presence of such numbers will inevitably contribute to the regeneration of the town centre and, hopefully, stimulate future interest in the Business Quarter.”
A grant of £300,000 is also available to improve the outside appearance of the building with new windows and a new entrance. The work should take four months to complete.
Cllr David Hardacre, cabinet member for performance and asset management, said: “Optimising the use of council owned buildings, of which this building is one, accords directly with our Asset Management Strategy.
“The creation of accommodation for council services in this central location in Bargoed town centre, adjacent to the new public transport interchange makes real sense, and would contribute significantly to the wider regeneration works currently taking place within the town.
“I am pleased that Cabinet members wholeheartedly supported these exciting proposals, which hopefully will also help act as a catalyst to help stimulate future interest in the Business Quarter of the town centre.”
Yet more council offices, just what we need, artificial economy at public expense is the default for Bargoed.