In December 2018, the Council completed the acquisition of the head leasehold interests of three sites on the West Trading Estate in Beeching Road Bexhill, including the site at 18-40 Beeching Road.

One half of this site was let to commercial tenants (Screwfix and Phase Electrical); the remainder was vacant and in a deteriorating condition.  The purchase price for the head leasehold interest reflected the fact that the vacant premises would require significant refurbishment in order to re-let them. 

The Council had successfully secured £960,000 through the Local Growth Fund grant through South East Local Enterprise Partnership, to convert the vacant premises into workspaces aimed at developing creative sector enterprises and funding was allocated in the Council’s capital programme for this work.

The project had been given the working title of ‘Beeching Road Studios’ and details of the vision of the project, to be established by 2025, were detailed in the report before Members.  A Steering Group of stakeholders, including the Council, the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill Contemporary Group, Bexhill College and others engaged closely with the development of the business plan; the Council would continue to work closely with the Steering Group in bringing forward the project and monitoring its future success.

The refurbishment of the exterior of the premises had recently been tendered and work on site was due to commence imminently, with completion expected by December 2020.  Phase 2 of the refurbishment comprised the internal fit-out and mechanical and electrical systems, which would follow once a tenant had been selected, with a view to being open by the spring of 2021.

Four potential operators had expressed interest in managing the scheme and the Council had invited interested parties to set out their proposals, to include a rental level and preferred length of lease.  These had been reviewed by a panel comprising the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration, along with the Head of Service for Acquisitions, Transformation and Regeneration, the Property Investment and Regeneration Manager and the Regeneration Officer.  The Panel had concluded that Bexhill College offered the best strategic fit with the aims and objectives of the scheme, the draft heads of terms of the proposal were set out for Members in the Confidential Appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED: That the Executive Director be authorised to enter into a lease with Bexhill College for the Beeching Road Studios project at 18-40 Beeching Road Bexhill, for a term not exceeding 20 years and otherwise on terms approved by the Executive Director.

(The Confidential Appendix in relation to this matter, as set out at Agenda Item 15 was considered exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.  In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 Cabinet did not consider it necessary to exclude the press and public whilst considering this matter).