HMRC Completes East and South West Accommodation Reviews

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is today, Wednesday 18 June 2007, publishing the outcome of a review of its occupation of buildings within urban centres in the East and South West Regions. This is the latest in a nationwide series of consultations on the future shape of the department.

HMRC was created in April 2005 following the merger of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise, providing the opportunity to create a modern, effective revenue collection and enforcement department.

The Regional Review Programme is designed to support HMRC plans to modernise and transform its operations by matching work, offices and accommodation needs throughout the UK. The programme of reviews began in November 2006 and will continue beyond April 2008.

It is not expected that HMRC will begin to vacate any premises until the summer of 2008 but some work and staff may move ahead of this date.

Mike Hanson, HMRC director general responsible for the office review programme, said:

“These decisions are the latest to emerge from a nationwide series of reviews designed to create the future shape of the department. In arriving at them, we’ve engaged widely with Trades Unions, MPs, local authorities and a range of customer groups as well as with our own employees of course. Their feedback, together with feasibility studies carried out by our professional estates and IT partners, have given us a robust basis for the conclusions being announced today.”

Round-up of the decisions in each urban centre

East Region: Peterborough

Two buildings, Churchgate and Clifton House in Peterborough will house the majority of the department’s future operations in the area. The other three offices are to be vacated on a phased basis during 2008/09.

In the proposals published in January 2007 for Peterborough, we planned to vacate Clifton House, we now intend to retain this site and in doing so, plan to vacate Ashurst and Stuart House. An Enquiry Centre will remain in the city centre.

The buildings being retained are:

  • Churchgate, New Road, Peterborough
  • Clifton House, Park Road, Peterborough

Buildings to be vacated in phased operations during 2008/09 are:

  • Ashurst, Bakewell Road, Southgate Park, Peterborough
  • Hereward House, Broadway, Peterborough
  • Stuart House, St Johns Street, Peterborough

East Region: Southend

One building, Alexander House in Southend will house the majority of the department’s future operations in the area. The other four offices are to be vacated on a phased basis during 2008/09.

In the proposals published in January 2007 we planned to retain part of Portcullis House in Southend. We now intend to fully vacate this site and relocate all staff to Alexander House. In addition, Enquiry Centres will be retained at, or near their current locations.

The building being retained is:

  • Alexander House, 21 Victoria Avenue, Southend

Buildings to be vacated in phased operations during 2008/09 are:

  • Kelting House, Southernhay, Basildon
  • Portcullis House, 27 Victoria Avenue, Southend
  • Regent House, The Gore, Basildon
  • Tyler’s House, Dencora Court, Southend

South West Region: Bristol

Six buildings will house the majority of the department’s future operations in this area, whilst three offices are to be vacated on a phased basis during 2008/09. In addition, Enquiry Centres will be retained at, or near their current locations.

The buildings being retained are:

  • Custom House, Clayton Street, Avonmouth
  • Highwood Pavilions, Jupiter Road, Patchway, Bristol
  • The Crescent Centre, Temple Back, Bristol
  • Norfolk House, Temple Street, Bristol
  • 2 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol
  • 101 Victoria Street, Bristol

Buildings to be vacated in phases during 2008/09 are:

  • Royal Mead, 4-5A Railway Place, Bath
  • The Pithay, All Saints Street, Bristol
  • 300 Woodlands Court, Ash Ridge Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol