By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
The redevelopment of the former Beales department store is still on track despite Nottingham Trent University no longer planning on moving in as tenant, Mansfield’s mayor has said.
The Mansfield Connect project would transform the site into a new headquarters for the council and some of its partner organisations.
Nottingham Trent University says it now no longer plans to be a tenant in the hub, although it will continue to support the scheme in other ways.
Mayor Councillor Andy Abrahams (Lab) assured a full council meeting on Tuesday (October 24) that the project would continue, although it may be on a reduced scale.
He also dismissed concerns from Conservatives that the project would drag on without becoming a reality.
Although the council is still speaking to third parties who may be interested in the space, it is assuming that more parts of the former department store will likely be demolished and replaced as a result of the university no longer becoming a tenant.
The new hub on Stockwell Gate was awarded £20million of government Levelling Up cash earlier this year.
The Department of Work & Pensions, Nottinghamshire County Council and West Notts College have also expressed an interest in being based at the site.
Mr Abrahams told the meeting that the university no longer being a tenant “affords the opportunity to remodel a redevelopment solution based on a greater amount of demolition of existing space and replace with new build, whilst retaining the more valued aspect of the asset overall, with that element being refurbished.
“This is because less total space is needed overall and therefore it is more viable to deliver this – rather than refurbishment in totality.
“With this approach it is anticipated that all of the space redeveloped will still be fully let to third parties and the overheads fully shared.”
Mr Abrahams also said the private sector would have been unable to deliver the project on its own without council leadership.
A business case will go before the Overview and Scrutiny Corporate Committee on November 7.
The mayor will make a formal decision on whether the council will relocate from the Civic Centre to Mansfield Connect at a later date.
Councillor Andre Camilleri (Con) asked the mayor when the town could expect work to start and finish, but did not receive an answer.
An NTU spokesperson said: “NTU is working closely with key stakeholders on the Connect development, and, to date, has provided advisory support on the project.
“NTU has worked successfully for a number of years with strategic partners within Mansfield and Ashfield districts to contribute to the development of the area, both through financial investment and providing a skills offer, business support and expertise from our colleagues. We continue to remain involved as the project progresses, and are fully committed to the area.”
