Streamlining for Success: Council's Office Rationalisation and Future Plans for Bangor Castle

Ards and North Down Borough Council is embarking on a significant rationalisation of its office estate. Currently, the Council operates from multiple administrative buildings, many of which are inefficient to use, operate, and maintain. This initiative will relocate approximately 420 Council employees to a single, modern, fit-for-purpose office building in Bangor city centre. The new office will embrace the efficiencies of hybrid working, requiring around 50% less office space than the current footprint. The move aims to promote better collaboration between council services, provide efficiencies, increase footfall to support existing businesses, offer the potential for shared service delivery with other key public sector agencies, and act as a catalyst for economic growth and city centre regeneration.

An important element of this rationalisation is the future use of the Bangor Castle. In August 2024, the Council appointed global consultants Barker Langham to explore viable options for the future use of Bangor Castle and develop a preferred option, culminating in the production of Outline Business Cases (OBCs) for Bangor Castle and North Down Museum.

The consultants have completed a situation analysis and established an initial list of functional prospects. These options were then scored against criteria aligned with the Council's Corporate Plan, producing a shortlist of five options:

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

These shortlisted options are currently undergoing a comprehensive multi-disciplinary appraisal process. Some options include retaining the North Down Museum in its current location, while others propose utilising the full footprint of the castle and even extending the footprint but taking in to account the heritage of the Castle and park. For options that do not include the retention of the museum, a separate OBC is being developed to explore future location options for the museum.

Susie McCullough, Chief Executive of Ards and North Down Borough Council, said: "This rationalisation project is a significant step forward for Council. By moving to a modern, efficient office space, we are not only improving our operational effectiveness but also supporting local businesses and fostering new opportunities for growth in the area. The future of Bangor Castle and North Down Museum is a key part of this vision, and we are committed to finding the best possible outcomes for this historic site which will in turn benefit our ratepayers."

The identification of a preferred working option for the Castle will be reported to the Council in the early part of 2025. Following this, the proposals will be presented to stakeholders to gather feedback before detailed financial delivery and operational models are produced as part of the final Outline Business Case, which is envisaged to be completed mid-2025.

For more information, visit Civic and Office Accommodation - Ards and North Down Borough Council