Swale council is planning to spend £1.5m in a race against time to turn its former Victorian offices in Sheerness into a community and business hub.

Masters House, which has been used by Sheerness Town Council, is set for a massive makeover if Swale's Cabinet agrees to the plans next Wednesday (March 17).

Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy and property, confirmed: "We plan to commit £1.3 million from our capital funds to refurbish Masters House in Sheerness."

The council has been offered £301,900 from the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to help but to qualify work must begin by the end of this month and be finished by September 30.

Work on converting the two-storey building is estimated at £1.4m. The council is also considering spending an extra £156,730 to turn sheds at the back into three workshops to give a total cost of £1,546,347.

Cllr Bonney (Ind, West Downs) said: "I will be seeking cabinet approval to allocate the capital funds needed to carry out the work as well as requesting to waive the usual approval process needed to award a contract for this amount, so we can meet these tight deadlines.

“If the plans are agreed, we’ll be turning the building, which was previously used as Swale council’s district office, into a social, community and business hub for Sheerness."

Proposals include nine office suites, three meeting or conference spaces including a "large function hall" upstairs, a kitchen and "breakout" space and new lift for disabled access to carry up to eight people.

Cllr Bonney added: “We recognise Sheerness needs this investment. It is important we make the best use of our own buildings to lead the way. Historically, there has been very little investment in this building. It's up to us to stop the decline."

The Oasis Academy had previously approached the council with a similar plan but also wanted to include accommodation for professionals on the site. It said it had a £1m budget but was turned down. It is now looking at another site in the town centre.

Another £8m business hub and community centre is being built in the former Sheerness Dockyard Church at Blue Town.

Notice has already been served on the existing tenants of Masters House including the iCars taxi firm and the town council.

Matt Brown, who chairs the town council, said: "We had already moved our office to our clerk's address in January as home working is still required but our contact details remain unchanged."

He added: "We have the option of taking up space in the renovated building which will have disabled access to the upper floors. The council is reviewing this alongside other options."

Cllr Bonney added: "We believe these changes can support local businesses and the community while meeting our climate commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 2025.”

The work will include adding a low energy air source heat pump, LED lighting, roof insulation, internal wall cladding, new double-glazed windows and doors, new toilets and kitchens, computer cabling, solar panels, upgraded electricity supply, lift, outside workshops and removing the former strong room.

Officers believe the new-look centre could bring the council up to £76,000 a year in rent for offices and workshops. The current tenant has leased it for the past six years at a nominal peppercorn rent. It cannot be let at a commercial rent because it does not meet modern energy performance regulations.

A report to the Cabinet says: "Historically there has been very little investment in the building and consequently it is now in need of significant refurbishment to bring it up to standard in to re-let it." It adds: "Market engagement and testing will now be required to see if there is demand for the business hub model."

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