Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has served notice to Bedworth Civic Hall CIO following its inability to sign the lease agreement to continue operating Bedworth Civic Hall.
Bedworth Civic Hall CIO was the chosen bidder to operate the Bedworth town centre venue after a public engagement exercise was opened in November 2022 to allow for viable expressions of interest to be submitted to the Council for consideration.
This submission included contributions from the Council towards insurance and the authority paying three months’ worth of utility costs, along with a 12-month rent-free period before payments toward the rental fee would start.
A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into reaching the position that a lease agreement could be signed, including 300 hours’ worth of officer time and additional costs in legal expenses.
Discussions with Bedworth Civic Hall CIO continued following a pre-agreement, which saw the Council spend significant funds on repair works, with further costs likely to be incurred, in addition to regular maintenance required from the authority as a competent and established landlord.
These costs were invested into the building to ensure the venue was operational, and Bedworth Civic Hall reopened its doors to audiences for its return show on Friday, 19 July.
Friday, 9 August, was communicated to Bedworth Civic Hall CIO as the deadline for the lease agreement to be signed, and the Council can confirm this was not completed.
An extension until 28 August was offered, and this was again not completed.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council will now consider its options to ensure Bedworth Civic Hall is operational again for the people of Bedworth and surrounding areas.