End of long-running saga as council quits town centre office

COUNCIL offices i n the centre of Forfar have finally been vacated, more than four years after being at the centre of a controversial Wetherspoons “superpub” plan.

Voluntary Action Angus is taking over the sprawling accommodation at 5-7 The Cross, with Angus councillors making the move to converted offices across the road in the municipal buildings connected to the Town and County Hall debating chamber.

The 9,500 sq ft buildings at The Cross became mired i n controversy in August 2014 when details of a secret £400,000 deal with the national pub chain emerged.

The prospect of a private sale of the 19th Century building sparked a furore, triggering claims the council was “selling off the family silver” amid bitter words between councillors. It also led to a bidding war after a local businessman made a £450,000 offer for the property with a view to creating a boutique hotel.

Neither that deal, nor a revised JD Wetherspoon offer of £50,000 less than its original bid, materialised and the property was put on the open market.

Angus Council has not disclosed the sum received for the offices, comprising two former bank buildings, a garage, store and parking to the rear, and latterly used as accommodation for elected members.

At the time of the proposed sale in 2014, former council chief executive Richard Stiff said if The Cross was not disposed of, the authority would have to find the cash to deal with “documented maintenance requirements” totalling £417,000 for the following two years.

A council spokesman said councillors have now moved to t he former Access office in the municipal buildings, with additional office space in Town and County Hall, where meetings of the authority take place.

The council’s leader, Arbroath Independent David Fairweather, said: “I’m sure all the councillors will join with me in welcoming this move which saves money now and in the future and helps us to reduce our carbon footprint.

“We are also excited to be welcoming a valued partner to The Cross – one that does so much great work across Angus.”