Biggleswade Town Council unveils new home of Public Realm Team

Last Friday marked a special day for Biggleswade Town Council (BTC) with the handover ceremony for its new Public Realm Depot.

Located at 11 Eldon Way, the industrial unit is the proud new home of the council’s Public Realm Team, which maintains the town's green spaces on behalf of the community.

Comprising a large secure storage area for all its equipment, there is also an office, workshop area and vastly improved mess facilities for the team. The office will handle all requests from the public, stakeholders and councillors.

Peter Tarrant, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, told the Chronicle: "The handover went very well. We now have a modern fit for purpose building to house our Public Realm Team and their equipment."

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Grant Fage, said: "The new depot provides an exciting opportunity to grow our outdoor team, driving greater investment in our valued green spaces, ensuring they’re well maintained, for residents to enjoy.”

Serving as a permanent base for at least the next 15 years, the council feels the new depot is key to the further modernisation and expansion of the Public Realm Team.

The opening event was carefully planned to ensure compliance with the government’s Covid-19 restrictions.

At noon on April 23, Jonathan Woolley, Deputy Public Realm Manager, and Peter Tarrant, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, met with representatives of the landlord to formally take possession of the keys.

Once the handover was complete, at 1pm, Mr Tarrant handed over the keys to Cllr Madeline Russell, Mayor of Biggleswade.

The opening of the new depot is in addition to the ongoing investment in the council's parks and open spaces as it "strives to improve the quality of life" of its residents. This has gained added importance during the Covid-19 pandemic as the health benefits of getting some fresh air have again come into focus.