Inverness Common Good Fund misses out on thousands of pounds from Inverness Town House empty offices
Highland Council would consider changing the configuration of some of its office space at Inverness Town House to help it bring in some of the £83,000 income the Inverness Common Good Fund is missing out on each year.
Its estates manager Kenny Forbes admits there is limited demand for office space at the historic building.
In 2022, the council formally agreed to permanently move out of the venue after 140 years and a multimillion-pound refurbishment.
It meant some 100 staff members moved to the council HQ in Glenurquhart Road, vacating the building in April 2023.
Since then, some office accommodation has been occupied with deals done with Police Scotland, Larson Group, Social Security Scotland, HiTrans and Ream Properties.
However, there are three larger offices currently on the market.
Mr Forbes said: “There is limited demand for the office space at the moment. This is likely due to a combination of factors including the condition, layout and size.
“The smaller offices are now leased but there is less demand for the larger office suites.”
In mid-February, property consulting services giant Savills was appointed by the council to produce a feasibility study and business case on the commercial use of Inverness Town House.
A council spokesperson said: “We would consider splitting the space, and happy to discuss options with interested parties.
“If these three offices were leased as they are now it would see a further income of £83,000 to the Inverness Common Good Fund. As it stands, the space is vacant and being advertised.
“Most of the running costs for the property remain the same - staffing and maintenance - while other costs such as utilities and refuse collection would increase slightly as occupancy increases. The majority of the Town House is civic space which is still operational.”
