Friends of City Hall: Search for new tenant is underway

Tuesday, 9 April 2024 01:00

A group supporting the re-opening of City Hall have issued a statement after they learnt that a process to tender for new tenants is underway.

The Friends of Salisbury’s City Hall Group (FSCH) have said they are pleased to hear 'there is now a tender process’ to find suitable tenants to run City Hall.

Following recent meetings with Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer and senior council officers, FSCH Chair Jeremey Nettle told Salisbury Radio, “Following a faltering start, it now seems that Wiltshire Council are moving forward with the soon to be announced appointment of a specialist estate agent.

“As specialist entertainment agents they will run a competition to find a selection of suitable tenants and make a recommendation to the Council.

“It will take time to ensure all steps in this lengthy process are done professionally… and ensure the tenant who is offered the contract has a successful record for running similar venues, as well as Salisbury's long-term interests at heart”.

Historically, City Hall was south Wiltshire's largest concert venue. The council-owned venue closed to audiences in 2020. It shut its doors because of strict instructions around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Nettle said, "It’s not to anyone's benefit to have the City Hall opened quickly, and then close six months later due to poor management."

He added, “The FSCH engagement with Wiltshire Council was to ensure that the Salisbury community was being heard, to understand the process and try to ensure an appropriate tenant who will not only deliver a vibrant, commercially sustainable venue but also engage positively with the local community.”

The group that set-up the reopensalisburycityhallnow Facebook Group say they were able to 'constructively comment' upon the permitted use and social value elements of Wiltshire Council’s instructions to the agent.

The FSCH hope their combined efforts with the Council will help attract suitable bidders and lay the foundations for the community, with the support of the Council, to constructively engage with any future tenant to deliver a ‘vibrant and self-sustaining City Hall’.

Saying that FSCH have ‘contributed positively’ to the process, Mr Nettle added, “There is a huge pool of talent and expertise in Salisbury.

“We are all itching to get City Hall up and running again, bringing more life and vitality back into the city.

“We eagerly anticipate the Council moving to the next stage in finding the right contractor to run City Hall for the benefit of all of Salisbury and our surrounding villages.”

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