Stratford-on-Avon District Council to safeguard future of Greig Centre

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has published a report for The Cabinet meeting taking place on Monday 27 November, to consider options for safeguarding the future of the Greig Centre in Alcester.  

Following legal advice, the District Council's Cabinet will consider serving six months' notice to terminate the long standing Leisure Agreement with the Greig Trustees.  The Cabinet is aware of the long held local desire to reopen The Greig Hall, an asset valued by the community.  

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "This has been a concern to the District Council for some time.  A managed transfer was agreed between the District Council and the Greig Trustees, so we have made every effort to keep this valuable facility open for the people of Alcester and the surrounding area, by acquiring the property.  The Trustees have failed to implement this mainly due to the Grieg Trustees disputing the District Council's valuation of the site, by not taking into account the covenant. 

"It is regrettable that the financial position of the Greig Centre remains precarious, with a further loss being reported within their latest accounts, and we are not aware of any plans to make investment into the leisure facilities. By considering future options, the District Council should be able to safeguard the future of the Greig Centre and provide valuable much needed investment in the leisure facilities for current and future generations.

"If the decision is taken to serve notice we anticipate the site coming back under the District Council's control when we will firstly look to refurbish the Lifestyles Sports Hall at the Greig Centre; something we've not been able to deliver due to the Trustees refusal to voluntarily transfer the site back to the District Council."  

£250,000 has already been earmarked by the District Council within the approved capital programme as part of the Corporate Strategy 2015-19 delivery programme.