44 Trinity Road, Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent. ME12 2PF (formerly known as the 'Old Sheerness Library') - Lease - A950

Swale Borough Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from organisations to occupy, manage and maintain the 44 Trinity Road, (Old Sheerness Library building) with the objectives being to secure income for Swale Borough Council and to optimise local economic and community benefit.

It is a well-located asset in the heart of Sheerness, with the entrance facing Trinity Road and a short walk from the High Street, train station and sea front. The Council owned and managed Trinity Place Car Park is approximately 80m from the building. Location plan is attached.

The building is the former Sheerness library but has been occupied by a number of local charities providing community services for the last eighteen years. It is currently vacant. The building comprises of an original single storey building with a later two storey addition to the rear. The building has an EPC rating of E. Repair work is required to areas of the building. A site inspection is recommended. The accommodation is as follows:

Ground Floor Area 163.4 sq.m. (1,759 sq.ft.) Office 1 / Storeroom 2.12m x 1.89m Office 2 2.94m x 2.26m Office 3 3.56m x 2.58m Office 4 5.32m x 5.85m nr to 4.60m Office 5 2.70m x 2.40 Office 6 2.81m x 1.61m Office 7 6.67m x 5.00m Office 8 5.37m x 5.00m First floor Area 60.0 sq.m. (646 sq.ft.) Office 6 2.88m x 2.62m Office 7 3.53m x 2.62m Office / meeting space 6.76m x 4.48m Storage / potential office space 2.76m x 2.48m Kitchenette 2.76 x 2.42m Internal storage 3.0 sq.m (32 sq.ft.) Total 226.4 sq.m. (2,437 sq.ft.)

The Council is seeking an experienced operator that will optimise the income revenue to the Council and the economic and community benefit for the locality. It will consider approaches based upon the lease of the building to a company, Trust or Charity for it to manage against the stated objectives.

Responses to this invitation should be sent to KentBusinessPortal and received by Friday 2nd December 17.00pm. Any proposals should assume that the lease for the building will commence within the first quarter of 2023. The permitted use will solely be for the provision of delivering a service that will benefit the local economy and community. No other use will be permitted without the express consent of the Landlord As a minimum, proposals should detail the following

• Details about the organisation making the proposal, including any relevant experience. • Details of the preferred and acceptable lease period. • Annual rent being offered to Swale Borough Council and/or any Commercial offering e.g. profit share etc. • Basic Business Plan that demonstrates that the proposal is viable and sustainable for the duration of the lease

Additional information: Your Business Plan should as minimum include the following:

• Proposed operating model • Marketing proposals • Details of how any repairs and improvements will be funded • Organisations most recent set of accounts covering last two years or period that is available if operating less than two years.

• Financial projections demonstrating a strong viability, showing profit & loss forecasts and any surplus in addition to a cash-flow for at least 3 years, • Details relating to managing H & S Statutory requirements

• Details of any other innovative activities proposed to increase usage, occupation, income generation and economic and community benefit. • Evidence of previous experience/operations of a similar nature

Swale Borough Council will also consider proposals for the combined lease and use of both 44 Trinity Road (the Old Library - to which this EOI relates) and Masters House, for which a separate EOI has been published, alongside this one. The 44 Trinity Road is located approximately 80m from Masters House.

If your proposal is for both opportunities it is acceptable to submit only one business plan, if you feel this is most appropriate. Proposals should nonetheless make clear how each building is to be used and any phasing of occupation or operations.

Please email [email protected] if you require further information or to arrange to view the premises.

On receipt of the Responses, the Council will perform an evaluation of Responses with a view to selecting an organisation in December 2022 subject to lease contract and Committee approval

The evaluation process will be as follows:

Evaluation criteria Maximum points Operating Model 30 Rent provisions 20 Financial Forecasts and Cash-Flow Information 20 Technical and professional ability 20 Health and Safety 10 TOTAL 100