Plans to turn Bodlondeb council offices in Conwy into an entrepreneurial hub have taken a step forward.
Conwy County Borough Council and Quidos Investments Limited have entered into an Agreement for Lease for the offices.
Councillors gave the final go-ahead for all democratic and office services to move to one location at Coed Pella, at a meeting of the council on 5 December. Now the agreement for lease means Quidos Investments Limited will sign a 250-year lease on Bodlondeb in late May 2025.
Nick Pritchard, Director of Quidos Investments and Ideas Forums, said he was thrilled to be given this opportunity of becoming the next custodian of Bodlondeb, which he said was “one of the most beautiful buildings in Wales in an area of outstanding importance to our history”.
He said:
“I’m excited for the future and making this building an entrepreneurial hub for Conwy and the wider community”.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, director of Ideas Forums which will be working with Quidos to develop the new business centre at Bodlondeb, said:
“Since agreeing to take over this historic building last summer, we have been looking forward to developing those economic opportunities that will make a difference to Conwy the county and North Wales as a whole.
“The hard work starts now, and we have some exciting plans for the site that will not only ensure its future but will enable us, through our extensive links to investors and businesses, to support those entrepreneurial and innovative firms to use Bodlondeb as a hub for growing the local economy.”
Council Leader, Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, said:
“I’m delighted to confirm that we have entered into an Agreement for Lease for Bodlondeb.”
“We’ve been able to make the decision to move our office services to one location knowing that there is a sustainable new use for this beautiful building. And I’m very pleased that Bodlondeb has an exciting future – providing a base for economic development opportunities for the town of Conwy and the wider area.”
The Bodlondeb woodland, war memorial, lawn, cricket ground, tennis courts and children’s play area are not included in the lease, and will continue to be available for the public to use.
Work can now start to reconfigure the space at Coed Pella to accommodate the council chamber, democratic hub and other services moving in.
