Nottingham City Council has announced the closure of parts of Lenton Business Centre following the emergence of significant fire safety concerns.
A recent Fire Risk Assessment identified a series of serious safety issues, which have led to the difficult decision to close the business centre with immediate effect.
While no decision regarding the long-term future of the site has been made, the assessment highlighted critical concerns regarding fire doors and compartmentalisation throughout the Howitt and LBC1 Buildings.
These issues, now identified, pose a significant risk to life in the event of a fire. The emergence of these concerns requires the Council to take immediate action in line with its statutory and regulatory obligations to prevent risk to life.
It is evident throughout this process that there have been a number of historical issues relating to the management and maintenance of the building.
Over the past year, the Council has implemented a new Corporate Landlord Services Model, which centralises all aspects of property management, including health and safety, into one consolidated function. It is through the operation of this new model that these historical issues have come to light and must now be addressed.
The Lenton Business Centre is home to approximately 80 businesses, community organisations, and charities, many of which serve as vital resources for Nottingham’s diverse communities. However, having considered the severity of the issues identified, the Council has determined that immediate closure is unfortunately necessary to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of all occupants and tenants.
Nottingham City Council is committed to working closely with all affected tenants to provide immediate support and will actively explore all available options to address the issues identified. The Council is currently taking the necessary steps to conduct a comprehensive survey, which will determine the full extent of works and costs required to resolve the outstanding issues. Once this has been completed, all viable options will be considered in consultation with stakeholders.
This decision was not taken lightly, and while it presents a hugely challenging situation for all those affected, the Council’s fundamental duty is to safeguard the wellbeing of its tenants and residents. Nottingham City Council is committed to engaging and working with affected stakeholders and will continue to explore all available options to address the issues identified. The Council has established a dedicated Growth Hub inbox and email address for tenants to provide one-to-one support and advice to affected businesses, including direct assistance with relocation while immediate safety issues are resolved.
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