4 December 2013
Seven government agencies are moving their HQs under one roof, releasing eight properties back to the open market, it has been announced.
Sport England, UK Sport, Arts Council England, Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), OFWAT (The Water Services Regulation Authority), Horserace Betting Levy Board and Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner are all releasing property to move into a newly renovated 80,000 square foot building in Bloomsbury Street, London.
The government claimed the initiative would reduce its property footprint by 110,000 square feet and save taxpayers £60 million.
In addition, the project won this year's Award for Excellence in Property Management from the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors (ACES). It was coordinated by the Cabinet Office's Government Property Unit (GPU), alongside nine other departments and agencies.
The building, formerly home to the Insolvency Service, has been completely renovated, cutting down on space used and operating costs by sharing services such as the reception, conference suite, showers and cycle store.
GPU has disposed of more than 770 freehold properties since 2010, reportedly raising more than £1 billion for the public purse as a result.
Francis Maude, minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, said:"Congratulations to all who pulled this off - it's a great example of how we can use our property estate more effectively by coordinating across different departments and agencies."
The head of facilities management policy and strategy at the GPU, Deborah Rowland, was named Facilities Manager of the Year at the BIFM Awards in October.