Councillors considered a move to the former St Edmundsbury Borough Council offices, which are being converted into offices and flats, at a meeting last week.

Councillors felt the Georgian-style building – designed by architect Basil Oliver in 1935 – would provide the perfect home for the town council when the lease on its current premises in Guildhall Street expires.

Roy Bebbington, town councillor for Moreton Hall, told the meeting last Wednesday: "I firmly believe a suite of offices in the former borough council offices would be ideal for the relocation of the town council. In my opinion, it is the most suitable premises, especially because of its prominence over the last 70 odd years as the central focus for the Bury community."

But some councillors feared the move could be a backwards step for the council, which has also made moves to secure office space in Shire Hall, on Honey Hill, in Bury, for two years.

Paul Farmer, councillor for Abbeygate ward, said: "I understand the nostalgia in the town about retaining the borough offices but the town council is separate to the borough and often seeks to challenge its views. I wonder if being at Shire Hall rather than Angel Hill may be more fitting."

But Bob Cockle, councillor for St Olaves ward, argued the prestige and central location of the Angel Hill offices would be perfect for the town council, as well as potentially saving some of the £25,000 a year it spends renting its current home.

David Nettleton, chairman of the town council, agreed to investigate both locations before a decision is made at the council's July meeting.


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