Hi - well they are certainly having very long negotiations!

You may recall that when BCC offered the management of the centre out for tender they said it'd be initially on a 1 year contract (sort of probation).

After TocH won, one understands they have been trying to negotiate for much longer than that...initiaially I believe for 3 years, but actually it seems they are asking for possibly 30 years on contract, and in return have indicated they'll put in something like a million pounds or more to upgrade the building etc (the building does need a fair bit spending on it, not least for disability access).

You may also recall that originally BCC gave ECA a 60 year lease, and when ECA folded there were about 46 years to go (before the building reverts to BCC's 'ownership'). Now given BCC's financial problems, one could well see them wanting it back sooner than 46, or 30 years, especially given the proposed 'Junction 3' project. So we can assume negotiations with TocH are around the lease and money that may be invested - at least that is what TocH told us when we went to their poorly attended (and poorly advertised) info event at ECC late last year. They also said then that February was a likely date to take charge.

Why not ask TocH yourself - ring Mark Trotter on 07971107929 (I hope that is right).

mh

Steve Woods <mr_woods@...> wrote: