FOLLOWING Stroud District Council’s historic decision not to sell the Sub Rooms last year, the council is now looking for a tenant for the iconic building in the centre of Stroud.
Bids will be invited via an estate agent for a recommended 30 year leasehold, with the closing dates for offers to be received by March 5.
Labour councillor Doina Cornell said “we are looking for organisations and people who would like to develop the Sub Rooms as an exciting venue for the 21st century.
“There is a growing arts and leisure economy in Stroud District which we want to see expand.
We hope interested parties will work together with the local community to develop the best possible options for the future”.
Cllr Cornell believes that the Sub Rooms has the potential to be an exciting venue for the 21st century
The historic building was dramatically taken off the market in December after councillors on the SDC strategy and resources committee voted to ensure that it remained in public hands.
A task and finish group had been due to present their recommendation to the committee that the Subs be sold to Ecotricity for £300k.
New parties are welcome to express their interest in the popular venue, as Stroud Town Council has renewed its pledge to work with the Stroud Trust to help form a viable plan for the venue’s future.
“It is the intention of the town council to make a bid after consulting with the public, concerned parties and with the policy makers in SDC in order to find a realistic way forward,” said Mayor Kevin Cranston.
The bidders pack, which can be found on the SDC website, includes a question about plans for the existing staff in the building, requests for information about any public consultation process that bidders have completed and confirmation that the forecourt will not be included in any lease.
Conservative councillor Nigel Cooper will be part of the SDC task & finish group overseeing the process
A new task and finish group will oversee this new stage in the process which will include all of the party leaders at the SDC.
Nigel Cooper, SDC Conservative leader said "We have a responsibility to the electorate of the district to help with the issue of the Sub Rooms, and feel it is important to be engaged in the process, despite the previous debacle and inappropriate comments to some of our members.
“The last attempt to sort out this issues failed purely for Party political reasons and we feel this may be the case again, however it is important that Conservatives do all we can to save the money that is being lost under the current operation.
“Hopefully having Conservative Councillors at the table will ensure that sensible and justifiable proposals are be put forward and decisions are made in the best interests of the whole of the district.”
Interested parties should contact Robert Smith at Bruton Knowles on 01452 880000 robert.smith@brutonknowles.co.uk
A full bidders pack and background information is available at www.stroud.gov.uk/
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