Catalogue of reasons for spending extra £100k on transforming old Argos store
INCREASED LABOUR COSTS AND
A COUNCIL leader has given his reasoning behind the need to spend £100,000 more than planned to transform an old Argos block.
It is now understood the additional costs came about because there were wishes to better refurbish the building, as well as increased labour market costs due to inflation.
The former Argos store in Beeston forms part of the £50 million Beeston Square redevelopment, which has the now-open Arc Cinema and bustling bar, The Beeston Social, as its centrepiece. Within it there are plans for a virtual reality gaming space on the first floor.
Council documents, however, revealed Broxtowe Borough Council required £100,000 more than planned
Prosecutor Ian Way spoke of the defendant’s “insatiable desire” to speak with the BBC presenter while he was giving evidence, with Vines admitting he would send letters to her if he was freed from prison. Jurors were also told of how Vines had breached the restraining order on 12 previous occasions, including letters and emails addressed to Ms Maitlis at the BBC.
For the final two of his previous breaches, Vines was jailed for three years after a judge said he feared there was “no sight of this ever ending” - describing the defendant’s behaviour as a “lifelong obsession”.
In his prosecution opening, Mr Way said: “This case has a long and unhappy history. For a period in excess of three decades, the defendant has demonstrated a persistent and obsessive fixation with the BBC journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis, whom he met at university in the 1990s.
“His compulsive behaviour towards her resulted in a conviction against him before the West London Magistrates’ Court on September 19 2002 for pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to harassment.” Mr Way continued: “His persistent behaviour towards her resulted in a conviction against him. That resulted in the first of two restraining orders imposed against him.
“Since that time he has, the prosecution assert, systematically, and with increasing frequency, attempted to breach that order.
“He can’t let go of something that he perceived was a wrong to him 30 years in the past and that, we say, is what is driving him.”
Adjourning sentence until September 5, Judge Mark Watson told Vines: “I’m not going to deal with you now because I want to know what the impact of your repeated efforts to breach this order have been.
“You can expect to receive a lengthy prison sentence.
“You have repeatedly told this jury and told others to whom you have spoken, that your intention is to continue to attempt to contact Emily Maitlis. Until (the sentencing hearing) Mr Vines, you will remain in custody.” to complete the scheme. The extra funds are to be financed “from prudential borrowing” the council says.
Councillor Milan Radulovic, Labour leader of the council, told the Post: “Largely it is the increase in costs in materials and labour, and to be fair, we are doing more than we were going to initially.
“Beeston Square phase two was to divide Argos into units and we wanted to do some additional work such as the canopy and lighting. For people who are familiar with the building I found the current canopy oppressive and we wanted to go for something more open, bright and make it more environmentally friendly.”
The redevelopment of the town centre is expected to come to a head by the ‘end of summer’ and had, for the most part, been done within budget. The council had purposely chosen to avoid renting out space to ‘national chains,’ and has instead included places such as Italian restaurant Ottimo and Rassam’s Creamery. Just one unit now remains vacant.
The letting of the first floor of the Argos building to a VR firm is now in the hands of a solicitor and is expected to open shortly after the August Bank Holiday. The Beeston Social also opened recently to critical acclaim.
Eastwood councillor Radulovic described the square as a “sleeping giant” and claimed it would soon become the “sub-regional centre of Nottingham”. He added: “It has been so popular that people have been falling over themselves to get leases.
“One of the things I’m greatly proud of is we bought the cinema site and it came in on price and people should not underestimate the work that has been done.”
‘DOING MORE’ BEHIND PRICE RISE