Council hits back at MP’s Queen’s Place claims

Sir Alan has also accused Mansfield District Council of ignoring his recommendations, after he issued a 50 point blueprint aimed at revitalising the town centre last year.

But the district council has hit back at Sir Alan’s claims, saying that the regeneration of the town centre is its priority.

Coun Kate Allsop, portfolio holder for economic regeneration, said: “The award-winning Queen’s Place was delivered on time and on budget to help address the shortage of modern and high-spec office units in the town centre.

“The development has transformed this part of the town and shows the council’s absolute commitment to making our regeneration priority a reality.

“We welcome the high-quality businesses that have already moved in and there are other businesses who are interested in joining them.

“The town centre is making steady progress and the most recent figures show that from April 2013 to March 2014 there were 13 new occupiers within the town centre.

“As well as providing a range of advice and support for businesses across the district, the council also provides financial incentives to businesses taking on a lease in most of the council’s retail, office and industrial premises. These can include property cashback incentives and flexible lease terms.

“The retail units at Queen’s Place were not fitted out internally in advance as prospective tenants would each have their own specific requirements depending on their business needs. The costs of fit out were intended to be reflected in the leases and the rents are in line with current market conditions.”

Last week, Chad reported also that Queen’s Place had finally welcomed its first tenants.

Fifty per cent of the office suites and one of the retail units have now been let to a variety of local and national businesses, the district council revealed.

Office tenants include the Transline Group, JT Recruit Ltd and Precedo Healthcare Services.

Mansfield-based Dalestorth Bakery will also be opening a cafe and takeaway on the ground floor,

Business manager Karla Franklin from Precedo Healthcare Services said: “We have only been in the building for a week now, but the general feeling amongst my team is very positive. We love working in Queen’s Place.

“It is probably the most modern building in Mansfield and we are proud that our name will be associated with the building. The location is perfect, as it is the gateway into Mansfield from the new bus station and a lot of our candidates travel from Nottingham and other surrounding cities to get to us.”

Pictured: Queen’s Place (top) and Coun Kate Allsop (centre, left) with new tenants of Queen’s Place Will Miller from Transline, Amanda Shetliffe from Dalestorth Bakery, Karla Franklin from Precedo Healthcare Services, Sarah Hardaker from J T Recruit Ltd and Mark Shetliffe from Dalestorth Bakery.