Halton Borough Council is preparing radical proposals to abandon its landmark headquarters in Widnes as part of a major drive to cut costs and streamline its sprawling property estate.
End of an era for Municipal Building
The plans would see council staff move out of the Municipal Building on Kingsway, a dominant feature of the Widnes skyline since it opened in 1967. The building first served as the home of Widnes Borough Council and has been the primary administrative base for Halton Council for decades, housing the bulk of its executive and administrative workforce, despite council meetings being held at Runcorn Town Hall.
Property portfolio found to be double the needed size
The potential relocation stems from a comprehensive review of the council's property holdings. A report commissioned from JL Property Solutions revealed a striking finding: Halton Council currently has twice the amount of office accommodation it actually requires.
The council's property portfolio is substantial, encompassing around 92 buildings with an annual running cost approaching £10 million. In response, the council's ruling executive board has directed officials to develop plans to vacate the Municipal Building. The board emphasised a desire to maintain a headquarters in Widnes and to avoid fragmenting services across multiple locations.
Savings and new income streams drive change
Previous explorations into constructing new premises were deemed prohibitively expensive, with one option costing an estimated £25 million. Leaving the current HQ presents a more financially viable path, offering potential savings on running costs. Furthermore, selling the building could provide a significant cash injection, especially as the wider Kingsway Quarter area opposite undergoes redevelopment.
That development will see 100 new homes, including elderly accommodation, built on the sites of the old police station, magistrates' court, Broseley House, and Kingsway Leisure Centre. The council is also looking to boost income by leasing out spare space in its other buildings, a strategy already proving successful.
A report to council chiefs highlighted: "Rationalisation of space was carried out in Runcorn Town Hall which subsequently enabled the police and crime commissioner's office to move in, helping generate additional income. Likewise, unused space in Runcorn's Rutland House is being re-purposed to create additional meeting room space."
A dedicated council working group has now been established to oversee the potential move, with senior officials set to receive regular progress updates on the ambitious plan.
