Significant works needed to fix House of Fraser building
we entice the companies in and then obviously make sure the community knows about it and uses it, because if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
The petition itself names five units that Cllr Hogg believes have been vacant for some time. Two of those lots (three and four) have only been empty for about a year and are currently being looked after by estate agent DB Real Estate.
The company has said negotiations are currently ongoing with different occupiers who are interested in leasing the shops, plus one potential purchaser for the whole premises. It added: “Dean Parade is a quiet neighbourhood parade and the majority of people who have looked at the premises have decided it is just too quiet, and sadly this has nothing to do with price or rent or condition, and as we all know the retail market is going through a difficult period.”
DB Real Estate concluded by adding: “That having been said, the parties we are talking to at the moment do seem interested/keen, so with any luck we should have some good news soon.”
Cllr Hogg suggested the other named lots have been empty for longer. Unit 13 has been part of an ongoing bankruptcy case, while units 11 and 16 are privately owned.
The condition of the parade may be causing concerns, but they have had a glossier past. In 2017 cameras were seen at the parade filming for an ITV drama, and Holby city has also been filmed there.
Speaking about the petition, a spokesman for the borough council said: “We are aware of a petition to reactivate empty, privately-owned shops on the Old Dean Parade, potentially using new powers recently enabled by parliament, and welcome residents engaging with the council in bringing issues of concern forward.
“The council is committed to delivering, enabling and supporting economic development to ensure that existing and new opportunities are exploited for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors.
“The Surrey Heath Economic Development Strategy provides an ambitious road map for good growth and prosperity of the local economy from 2023 to 2028. It identifies opportunities for accelerated economic growth and resilience while taking a proactive approach to mitigating the global, regional and local challenges impacting the borough.
“As part of our business support we will review the proposed plans for the empty units on the Old Dean being put back into use for the benefit of the local community and understand the implications of the new powers for council tax payers.”
You can read more about the petition at https://surreyheath.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay. aspx?id=42&fbclid=IwAR3_qnPVBw ISPdL5nXKE_-IpMZbJP5fJaYTDD1x KovIpRI6QNk_16xGKcKY
SURREY Heath Borough Council faces a hefty bill to remove dangerous asbestos and fix the crumbling, leaky roof of the former House of Fraser building it bought as part of a multi-million pound town centre investment scheme.
The asbestos lining the leaking 50-year-old roof of the former department store in Camberley needs £3.5million to be fixed. The borough council heavily indebted itself to buy the building alongside the London Road development as part of a £109m investment.
However, it now admits: “There is no material prospect of letting the space without significant capital expenditure to address asbestos removal, replacement of mechanical and electrical services and other required repairs”, according to council documents prepared ahead of an executive committee meeting that was due to take place yesterday (Tuesday).
It means the building needs “significant alterations in order to be re-occupied”.
The report added: “In addition to the presence of asbestos, the roof leaks as it is over 50 years old and beyond its intended life”.
In order to get the building up to code and usable, council officers are recommending the expensive works. Not doing so, they argue, would mean the roof cannot be repaired – causing further deterioration to the interior.
Officers say no matter the future use of the building, the asbestos will need to be removed at some stage and doing so now minimises the risk of any health and safety or environmental incidents that may occur, and reduce the borough’s liability to potential claims. The council believes the works could take approximately six months.
Making the building safe will allow it to carry out a full survey to develop options for the best way forward for the building. Once the asbestos is clear, conceptual plans and designs, with cost estimates, will be developed.