Charity fears losing home in town redevelopment

A charity that supports vulnerable people fears it may lose its home if plans to regenerate a town centre go ahead.

Wiltshire Council has now agreed to pay the owner of Trowbridge's Castle Place Shopping Centre at least £2.5m to take on the adjoining St Stephen's Place car park, demolish it and the shopping centre, and redevelop the site.

Martin Gailey, trustee of Ruksak which is based in Castle Place, said: "We don't want to be left in a position where the landlord would say you have one month to find somewhere else to go."

Councillor for regeneration Helen Belcher said "we want to ensure the site is redeveloped" adding that the1970s car park would cost the council millions to repair.

A legally binding covenant prevents Wiltshire Council from generating any income from the car park which has more than 400 spaces.

The council says it is at the end of its life and would cost more than £10m to repair.

After lengthy debate at Wednesday's cabinet meeting it was agreed the council would provide the owner of Castle Place Tahir Ali several payments totalling more than £2.5m, on the promise of demolition and redevelopment of the site in the town centre.

The precise figure to be paid to Ali has not been disclosed by Wiltshire Council because of commercial sensitivities.

Belcher said: "The car park site is a considerable liability, not an asset. We are seeking best value for the taxpayer."

For Martin Gailey and the volunteers at Ruksak, it means not knowing how long they may have a home for the charity.

The charity, which pays a reduced rent, has a shop and storage space in Castle Place where people in need can access essential items like clothes and kitchen equipment.

"Our licence is one month recurring, it would be difficult to find another place to move to," said Gailey.

A similar deal to give away the car park was proposed earlier this year, and narrowly voted down by Reform and Conservative councillors.

A petition signed by about 900 people calling for a consultation on the future of the car park was handed to Wiltshire Council this week.

Reform councillor for Trowbridge Park Chris Vaughn said there is concern about what will happen on the site once the car park and shopping centre are demolished.

"Is there a developer to develop the demolished site? I still don't have an answer.

"If not, they risk years of damage and uncertainty. It is utterly selfish and reckless."

Tahir Ali was approached by the BBC for comment.

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