The council has informed tenants that a report going to Cabinet is asking members to agree that notice can begin to be issued to tenants to vacate New England House so the site can be refurbished or redeveloped to address the fire risks.
If the decision is approved at Cabinet, it’s expected that units will need to be vacated by 30 September 2025.
Tenants will be contacted individually in accordance with the terms of their tenancy. The council will also work with businesses to support them in finding a solution that works for them.
In November 2024, serious fire risks were identified and the council put mitigations in place immediately to ensure tenants' safety. This included the introduction of fire wardens on site, as well as the removal of LP gas.
The expected scale of the work to bring the building up to required safety standards means it cannot be undertaken with existing tenants remaining on site. Emptying the building is the safest and most practical option.
It’s not just about safety – there would be significant disruption in terms of noise, vibration and access. Tenants would have to relocate within the building while work was carried out, including moving all their property and fittings. And work would be expected to take several years longer if the building remained occupied.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Finance and City Regeneration, said: “New England House is a hub for creative, cultural and digital sectors that is incredibly important to the city’s economy, and we don’t underestimate the impact of asking businesses to relocate.
“However, it’s vital that we ensure the long-term future of New England House, and the affordable business space it provides. We must carefully consider options for the refurbishment or redevelopment of the site. We can’t do that with tenants in place.
“We have been honest and in regular contact with the community at New England House and they know the building will need to close at some point so the necessary refurbishment or redevelopment can take place.
“While we would love to offer tenants more notice, safety continues to be our priority, and the building cannot stay open while key risks remain. The short-term fire mitigations in place must be followed by major works to repair the building.
“When Cabinet meets next week, we should be able to give tenants more clarity, so they can make the decisions that are right for their businesses.
“We recognise it will be difficult for some tenants to find the type of accommodation they need in the city, as there is a chronic lack of space that the creative sector specifically needs.
“I want to reassure tenants that we will support them to find alternative accommodation and they will be offered first refusal to return to a refurbished or redeveloped building.”
The decision on whether to vacate New England House and the report on the options for future use will be presented to Cabinet on 20 March. Read the Cabinet papers and view details of the meeting.
A decision on the future use of the building is expected to be made by the council’s Cabinet in the summer.