Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presenting the 2023-2028 Blackfriars Priory Business Plan and seeking support to enter the next lease agreement with English Heritage.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the interim Head of Finance and Resources and Head of Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture, are delegated to enter into negotiations for a new lease agreement with English Heritage

(2)       the aims of the business plan and continuation of Cabinet as an advocate for the Blackfriars programme are endorsed

(3)       a continued financial contribution by the authority for the next 5 years to develop Blackfriars Priory is committed to.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that presented the 2023-2028 Blackfriars Priory Business Plan and sought support to enter the next lease agreement with English Heritage.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advised Members that he was confident that proposed plan (Appendix 1) and 25-year lease (10.4-5) would build on existing achievements which included receiving national recognition as an outstanding wedding venue, education facility and historic building.  He took the opportunity to place on record his appreciation for the Blackfriars Team who were responsible for recent accomplishments.

The Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed that he had observed the enthusiasm of that team for himself. The Cabinet Member for Environment further commented that the site needed to make money and that he expected it to do so with the proposed plan.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the interim Head of Finance and Resources and Head of Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture, are delegated to enter into negotiations for a new lease agreement with English Heritage

(2)       the aims of the business plan and continuation of Cabinet as an advocate for the Blackfriars programme are endorsed

(3)       a continued financial contribution by the authority for the next 5 years to develop Blackfriars Priory is committed to.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presenting the 2023-28 Blackfriars Priory Business Plan and seeking support to enter the next lease agreement with English Heritage.

11.1    The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Andrew Lewis, introduced the report and explained that a 5-year business plan had been produced to gain support for Gloucester City Council to continue to run Blackfriars Priory under a new lease agreement. He confirmed that the council’s preference was to negotiate a longer lease of up to 25 years with English Heritage in the future. Councillor Lewis referred Members to the mission and values outlined in the Blackfriars Business Plan at Appendix 1, and expressed the view that if a 25 year lease could be secured, Blackfriars could become the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Gloucester City. Councillor Lewis expressed his view that Blackfriars Priory was an excellent venue and thanked staff for their hard work.

11.2    The Chair commented that the Blackfriars Priory Business Plan was a good report. He queried whether the proposal was to expand into other activities over time or focus on weddings. Councillor Lewis responded that a balance needed to be found, as he felt that with such an historic building, it was important to retain a multi-use element for educational purposes. The Head of Culture further explained that under the current lease, a certain amount of public access needed to be provided.

11.3    In response to further comments from the Chair regarding acoustic challenges, Councillor Lewis agreed that Blackfriars Priory might not be the most appropriate venue for singing and although he was open to exploring the possibility of concerts, he would not want to change the appearance of the historic building.

11.4    Councillor Hilton observed that Blackfriars Priory was a fine historical building and commented that it was good to see the venue being used. He noted that some challenges facing the venue included lack of accommodation on-site, lack of storage, acoustics, and that the surroundings might not be seen as luxurious as other venues. He asked how these challenges could be overcome, and whether the Cabinet Member was confident that the 5-year plan would achieve the projected £47k profit by 2028. Councillor Lewis stated that he was confident that this figure could be achieved, highlighting that Blackfriars Priory was an award-winning venue. In response to Councillor Hilton’s concerns around on-site accommodation, Councillor Lewis noted that the Forum development, which when completed would include hotel accommodation, was nearby. Councillor Lewis advised the Committee that the venue had already taken in around £130k worth of bookings this year, and stated that he was confident of more bookings being made. He noted that the forecast suggested that the venue should be self-sufficient by 2028.

11.5    Councillor Hilton asked for the Cabinet Member’s views as to whether boutique accommodation in Phillpotts Warehouse would be more suitable due to it being within shorter walking distance. Councillor Lewis advised that the future use of Phillpotts Warehouse was at that stage unknown, however the Forum development was underway.

11.6    Councillor Wilson asked for further information around the rationale behind not pursuing a 25-year lease straight away. He wondered whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11