Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided the Cabinet with an update on the proposed re-development of the Pentagon Centre. The report set out that the Council was in advanced discussions with a public sector organisation to reconfigure and occupy an area of the Centre. The envisaged project would provide a rental income to the Council. It would also drive footfall to the Centre and improve the overall vitality of this strategic asset.

The proposal would dovetail with the bringing back into use of Mountbatten House and the other town centre improvements planned to be delivered over the next 2-3 years. Part of the original strategy was to redevelop an area of the Centre, which was currently under-performing as lettable space, to provide additional leisure facilities in Chatham. However, due to changes in demand in the leisure market, a prospective tenant had withdrawn their interest and this was no longer considered a viable redevelopment or letting option for the Council.

The report set out that a new repurposing strategy had therefore been produced to bring alternative uses into this area, reducing the amount of retail and thereby increasing the sustainability and profitability of the ground floor retail. 

Consultation was due to begin shortly with the current occupiers who would be affected to establish whether they could be offered alternative premises in the Pentagon Centre. One of the options for alternative premises that the Council was actively considering could see a dedicated area retained for charitable and other third sector organisations to deliver their services.

Exempt Appendix 1 to the report set out the draft redevelopment proposal for the site.

Reasons:

The Council wants to regenerate Chatham and wants to support the economic renewal post Covid-19 of the “city centre” of Medway. By progressing this proposal the Council will be working towards its ambitions for a more vibrant and busy Pentagon Centre.