Slough council to buy new town centre headquarters

Slough Borough Council has agreed to buy a new headquarters in the town centre in a bid to kickstart the regeneration of the area.

The council’s cabinet met last week (29 May) and approved plans to buy a new building in the town centre, which will house staff currently based at St Martins Place and Landmark Place.

Because negotiations with the owner of the town centre site are still ongoing, the exact location of the building and the costs involved remain confidential.

But the council has confirmed that once empty, the St Martins Place site will be converted into 60 social housing apartments for people on the housing register, providing temporary accommodation for local key workers.

The purchase of the town centre building is expected to be finalised later this summer, with council staff moving in early in the new year.

The leader of Slough Borough Council, James Swindlehurst, said it has ‘long been our ambition’ to have the local authority’s headquarters in the town centre.

‘This move will be a boost to the area around the High Street and shows our commitment to regenerating the centre of Slough,’ added Cllr Swindlehurst.

‘This move will speed up the internal and external transformation of the council, is linked closely with our regeneration strategy and will make energy and carbon savings.

‘But most of all, it will put us in the centre of the town, in the heart of Slough – easily reached, and central to all residents.’

He added: ‘The lack of temporary accommodation in Slough has become more and more pressing as more people declare themselves as homeless, find they are priced out of the rental market or unable to buy a property of their own.

‘By moving out of St Martins Place and using it to provide much-need social housing, the plan for our headquarters benefits both the council and residents using our services and needing new homes.’