Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council has pledged its commitment to the town centre with the completed acquisition of 64 High Street, the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill site.
In November 2020, the community council commenced exploring the properties available which would allow it to take up a presence in the town Centre. The intention was for NCCC to be more accessible to residents, assist in High Street recovery, provide space for a Newport Heritage Centre, appropriate office space for its staff and secure a central, accessible space to hold the council meetings.
Initially, the intention was to rent a property, as the Council has since it was founded in 2008, however, when the viewing of the property took place, it presented an opportunity to invest and fulfil several of the objectives from the Council’s adopted strategic plan. These included the intent to acquire a property, establish a parish base and perhaps offer commercial letting space. This would be a capital investment for the council and the biggest purchase made to date.
The purchase was achieved without impacting the precept payers of Newport and Carisbrooke as the Community Council reduced the precept for the 2021/2022 financial year by 2.4%.
NCCC is the lead partner for the Historic England High Street Heritage Action Zone programme for Newport which commenced in May 2020. As part of this, and with the property being located within the zone for the project, a feasibility study was carried out to provide an insight to councillors into its potential uses and configuration potential.
The council has also applied to the programme for grant funding for shop front improvements to enhance the aesthetics, and to assist with a feasibility study into repurposing the first floor and reinstating the appropriate access from the street.
Cllr. Jones-Evans, Vice Chairman of the Council, and councillor for Newport Central said,
“This purchase marks a new era for Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council. After 13 years we now have our own base in the heart of the town and a sound investment on behalf of residents. In time we will be able to be more accessible and provide space for historical displays, meetings and retail opportunities, amongst other uses.
Article continues below this advertisement “Councillors feel it’s important that we show commitment to reviving the High Street and that we believe in Newport. Working with the High Street Heritage Action Zone means we can create a high-quality space that respects the building and conservation area.”
So a community council has bought itself an office down the road from the other big council who itself wants a new office.
So taxpayers money thrown at something the taxpayer really needs – a shop for the staff and councillors to meet in – great thinking there – thanks!
yet another faboulous use of our money! crock of……maybe lower shop rents so more affordable then newport wouldnt look like a scruffy ghost town!
Pity the Town hall couldn’t have been used, as it should be. Shouldn’t be ‘owned’ by the County Council.
Who owned it and was a fair price paid?
Is this meant to coax people back into Newport? If so why? I can’t see crowds of people being enticed back to Newport to visit this place, not with so many shops closed down. No point in going there now, apart from M&S and Crockshop and the IW veg shop.