Civic and Office Accommodation

The Council is conducting a strategic review of its administrative buildings to enhance efficiency and optimise the use of its estate. Currently, around 400 Council employees are spread across more than 10 buildings, many of which are inefficient to operate and maintain. It is estimated that the Council's future office space needs will be 50% less than the current footprint, presenting significant opportunities for change, efficiency, and economic, social, and environmental benefits.

The conclusion of the Business Case by the Council was that a single building, centrally located in Bangor or Newtownards, would best serve the Borough in the future. In rationalising its buildings, the Council is committed to prioritising local regeneration by repurposing any surplus buildings. For example, the SEHSCT has shown interest in the Council's Church Street site in Newtownards to expand its services at Ards Hospital, potentially transferring up to 150 administrative health staff into Newtownards town centre, boosting the local economy.

The Council aims to situate any new building in the heart of either Bangor or Newtownards. A modern office building would enhance collaboration between council services, increase footfall to support local businesses, offer potential for shared service delivery with other public sector agencies, and act as a catalyst for new businesses.

In October 2023, the Council began engaging with property owners in Newtownards and Bangor to identify potential sites for a new civic/office hub. Out of 37 potential sites, seven were shortlisted for detailed assessment. Two sites in Bangor, the Flagship and Queen's Parade, were identified as the most suitable for redevelopment to provide high-quality, modern civic and office facilities.

In March 2024, the Council agreed to further consider these two sites while continuing to develop business cases for existing buildings, prioritising local regeneration benefits. This decision also supports progress on the Newtownards Citizens Hub, including a proposed new cultural hub with Libraries NI.

In September 2024, the Council appointed global consultants Barker Langham to produce outline business cases for repurposing Bangor Castle and potentially relocating North Down Museum. After a Situation Analysis and scoring a long list of options, the following five shortlisted options were taken forward for a full appraisal:

Boutique Hotel and Events Centre
Larger Hotel and Events Centre
Creative Hub and Cultural Arts Centre
Small Business Workspace
Small Business Workspace and Museum

Some options include retaining the North Down Museum in its current location, while others propose utilising the full footprint of the castle, considering heritage protocols. For options excluding the museum, a separate business case will explore future location options.

The preferred option for the castle will be reported to the Council in March 2025. Following this, proposals will be presented to stakeholders for feedback before detailed financial and operational models are developed as part of the final Outline Business Case, expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Revitalising this extensive estate is a complex ambition with many interrelated projects. Plans will adapt to meet the changing needs of the Council, potential partners, external market conditions, and ratepayers.

BANGOR CASTLE AND NORTH DOWN MUSEUM OUTLINE BUSINESS CASES (OBC) Jan 25 v2 (PDF, 661 KB) (opens new window) View Bangor Castle And North Down Museum Outline Business Cases (OBC)

Bangor Castle and North Down Museum OBC Timeline (PDF, 65 KB) (opens new window) View Bangor Castle and North Down Museum OBC Timeline

Current Position (PDF, 85 KB) (opens new window) Click to download a graphic showing the buildings that are part of the review

Benefits (PDF, 149 KB) (opens new window) Click to download a graphic summarising the key long-term benefits

Frequently asked questions

What is the office rationalisation project aiming to achieve?

This project proposes that, over the coming years, instead of resources being put towards the upkeep of several old and inefficient buildings, Council investigates securing new energy efficient, accessible, and sustainable premises in either Bangor or Newtownards.

The new premise will house office-based employees who currently work across 10 different buildings. The approach would facilitate more collaborative working practices and allow the Council to offer a wide range of its services in one central location. The footprint of any new building would be c50% less than the existing Council estate required to house these employees/functions.

This proposal will also see some existing Council buildings being re-purposed, providing further opportunities for economic,social, and environmental benefits.

When will the proposals be implemented?

These are long-term plans with several related projects, that will adapt over time to meet both the changing needs of Council/ potential partners, external market conditions and ratepayers/end users. Timelines for delivery are yet to be determined in detail.

What are the next steps?

Boutique Hotel and Events Centre
Larger Hotel and Events Centre
Creative Hub and Cultural Arts Centre
Small Business Workspace
Small Business Workspace and Museum

In March 2024, Council agreed to take forward two sites in Bangor, the Flagship and Queen's Parade, for further consideration as, following a comprehensive assessment, both can provide high quality, modern, fit for purpose civic and office facilities.

At the same time Officers will continue to progress businesses cases for our existing individual buildings, prioritising regeneration benefits locally. In June 2024, Council will be advertising a tender opportunity for consultants to undertake feasibility studies and produce outline business cases in relation to potential future uses for Bangor Castle and the current North Down Museum site.

Work is also progressing on Newtownards Citizens Hub, including the proposed new cultural hub with Libraries NI. A tender opportunity for an Integrated Design Team to work on the design of Newtownards Citizens Hub will also be advertised in June.

Why, with high inflation/ living costs and increasing need for fiscal prudence, is the Council choosing to progress these proposals at this time?

Among the core principles of the Council's Estate Strategy are cost effectiveness, cost efficiency and value for money.

The Council owns and maintains a sizeable estate on behalf of the residents of Ards and North Down. Many of the administrative buildings are old, inefficient and present accessibility challenges.

Over the last decade, the Council has had to allocate significant resources to reactive maintenance on these buildings (fundamental repairs such as roofing and structural works). This comes at the expense of maintenance and refurbishments that would improve or modernise the facilities. The position is unsustainable.

This proposal will also see some existing Council buildings being re purposed, providing further opportunity for economic, social, and environmental benefits.

This is a long-term project with many interdependencies but steps need to be taken in order to ensure the delivery of benefits moving forward.