‘Business as usual’ despite PCT base sale
HEALTH chiefs have insisted it is “business as usual” for nearly 200 employees at NHS Suffolk’s Rushbrook House HQ, which is being sold at auction on Monday.
The four storey building, in Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, was owned by the Braceforce Group, part of which went into liquidation earlier this year.
But as bidders prepare for Monday’s auction, being held by Cannon Capital in London, NHS Suffolk has insisted its operations will not be affected.
The Primary Care Trust controversially moved into Rushbrook House in 2007, signing a 21 year lease at a fixed rate and has 190 members of staff working from there.
Mark Marshall, NHS Suffolk’s head of corporate development and infrastructure, said: “We are not moving. The current owners of the building went into liquidation a few months ago resulting in the need for the receivers to sell the building on their behalf.
“NHS Suffolk will be remaining at Rushbrook House as tenants as per our lease agreement.”
Although the lease runs for another 17 years, it is subject to a review at the end of the December and then five yearly thereafter.
Most Read
- 1 Is this tearoom near Ipswich one of Suffolk’s best-kept secrets?
- 2 Plans for two drive-through takeaways in Suffolk town
- 3 What time will the Red Arrows be flying over Suffolk this weekend?
- 4 New landlord hopes to make Suffolk pub 'centre' of village community
- 5 The former Ipswich players looking for new clubs this summer
- 6 WATCH: 'Unplayable' delivery from Suffolk bowler goes viral
- 7 Woman in hospital with life-threatening injuries after serious A143 crash
- 8 New landlords take over award-winning pub and brewery in Suffolk village
- 9 Town boss McKenna adds ex-Manchester United player to coaching staff
- 10 Man caught in undercover police sting trying to meet '13-year-old girl'
The current passing rent is �168,075 per annum and the lease is subject to “tenant only break clauses” on the December 31 in 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 by serving not less than six months notice.
NHS Suffolk caused outrage when it spent a �475,000 on acquiring nearby farmland for car parking in 2009 as the site proved to have space for only a limited number of cars.
The PCT then spent tens of thousands of pounds more to create extra spaces at the site.
Speaking about the upcoming sale, auctioneer James Cannon said it was a “handsome building”.
He said: “This is an attractive building which provides a high yielding office investment for investors.”
The auction will be held at the Langham Hotel, Portland Place, London, W1 on Monday.
Last night nobody at Great blakenham-based Braceforce was available for comment.
