New facility at Kenilworth Police Station

The Council has purchased the Police Station building from Warwickshire Police. Once refurbished, the new facility will be home to; Kenilworth Town Council ,  Jeremy Wright, MP and Police Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Warwickshire Police will remain in occupation of the building until 19th August. After this date a comprehensive refurbishment programme will start. It is anticipated that the building will be ready for occupation just before Christmas.

Councillor Michael Coker said: "This is wonderful news. It is a further step in our refurbishment of the Town Centre as it moves not only moves the Town Council into our Civic Centre but also allows for the development of the new Senior Citizens Club. Our plans for the Town Centre are falling into place and the purchase will allow us much more control to bring the rest on stream."

In tandem with this purchase, Warwick District Council has sold its site in Southbank Road to McCarthy & Stone Developments Ltd. This site will be redeveloped to provide an extra care sheltered home and a new club house for Kenilworth Senior Citizens Club. Some preparation work is expected to start on site during the summer.

The Kenilworth Senior Citizens Club will temporarily relocate into the Police Station building while their new club house is built.

During the refurbishment the Safer Neighbourhood team will be based in temporary accommodation at the former police headquarters in Leek Wootton. However customers wishing to contact the police can do so by calling into the Warwickshire Direct – Kenilworth office and speaking to the team.

There will still be a visible police presence within Kenilworth throughout this period and there will be no reduction in policing levels.

Sgt David Kettle, who leads the Kenilworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Although we will not have a police base within Kenilworth for a short time the team will continue to patrol the town and provide the same level of protection. We want to reassure members of the public that we can still be contacted in the same way (by telephone, email or Twitter) and our responses will be the same."

Warwick District Council will continue to work with Warwickshire Primary Care Trust, Warwickshire County Council, Kenilworth Town Council and Talisman Theatre, to progress the aspiration of a combined Public Service Centre at Smalley Place, Kenilworth.

The new facility could

• provide a wide range of public services at a single location;
• create a “cultural hub” in the heart of Kenilworth
• continue the regeneration of the town centre; and
• be cost efficient for all parties.