By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable says a ‘win, win outcome’ for underused Newark Police Station is on the horizon after the ambulance service showed interest in moving into the building.
Craig Guildford said negotiations are under way with East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) over the site.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry (Con) dropped plans to close the station and relocate it to a new building alongside council offices when she was elected in May 2021.
The change of plan went against the advice of Mr Guildford, who had argued the move would save his force £103,000 a year.
The station, on Queen’s Road, was built in 2006 at a cost of £7m. It is currently 75 per cent underused.
Mrs Henry decided to drop the plans following a public consultation which attracted 911 responses – with 726 against the move.
Speaking at a Police and Crime Panel at County Hall, West Bridgford, on Tuesday, February 8, Mr Guildford said: “In really simple terms, negotiations have progressed quite well and in due course I will be reporting into the commissioner with concluding aspects.
“It is with EMAS and that is really positive – two blue light services, win, win, for the public purse – and it will develop that area around the police station. Hopefully, win, win, outcome.”
Greg Cox, EMAS divisional director for Nottinghamshire, told the Local Democracy Service: “We are in very early discussions with Nottinghamshire Police regarding blue light collaboration in Newark.
“These discussions are currently commercially and legally sensitive and so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
During the meeting Cllr Kevin Greaves (Lab), of Bassetlaw District Council, also asked the commissioner when Worksop would get “a proper police station” – a pledge he said she made during her manifesto.
“People will demand more,” he said. “When are you going to improve the police station in Worksop – I want to know when you are doing it?”
Mrs Henry said an estate strategy had started and there will be “a lot more resources going into Worksop” in terms of Government Safer Street funding, which includes new CCTV cameras.
