Readers may remember when VB reported the story about rent still be paid by the Isle of Wight council on the empty Cowes Tourist Information Centre (TIC) on Monday, that we’d posed some questions to the council.
We asked whether the council had considered handing the premises over to a group of local artists to run a pop-up studio, as has been achieved in Freshwater and Ryde with Cuckoo.
“Gladly consider alternative uses”
We’re delighted to hear that after we raised the issue with the council, George Brown, IW Council cabinet member for economy and the environment, has agreed to consider alternative uses rather than the premises remain empty.
He told VentnorBlog, “We will gladly consider appropriate alternative uses of the premises that provide a community benefit until December when the lease runs out provided this use has the consent of the landlord and does not incur costs for the authority.”
All very positive. Do get in touch if you’re interested.
By way of background, the premises has remained empty for several months after the TIC closed, but rent is being paid on it, £6,000 by the end of the year, when the 21 year lease runs out.
Property was advertised in CP, say council
If you’d wondered if the council had advertised the property for subletting already, the answer is yes.
A spokesperson from the council press office told VB, “An advertisement inviting organisations to explore the possibility of taking an assignment of the council’s was placed in the County Press on April 1 and 8.
“However it was not possible to come to an arrangement that was in the interests of council tax payers.”
