Camberley's vacant and leaking former House of Fraser building needs £3.5m to make it safe

The asbestos lining the leaking 50-year-old roof of the former department store in Camberley needs £3.5 million to be fixed.

Surrey Heath Borough Council heavily indebted itself to buy the building alongside the London Road development as part of the £109m investment.

However it now admits: “There is no material prospect of letting the space without significant capital expenditure to address asbestos removal, replacement of mechanical and electrical services and other required repairs”, according to council documents prepared ahead of its Tuesday, February 13 executive committee.

It means the building needs “significant alterations in order to be re-occupied.”

The report added: “In addition to the presence of asbestos, the roof leaks as it is over 50 years old and beyond its intended life.”

In order to get the building up to code and usable council officers are recommending the multimillion pound face lift.

Not doing so, they argue, would mean the roof can not be repaired – causing further deterioration to the building’s interior.

Officers say that no matter the future use of the building, the asbestos will need to be removed at some stage and doing so now minimises the risk of any health and safety or environmental incidents that may occur and reduce the council’s liability to potential claims.

The council believes the asbestos removal works could take approximately six months.

Making the building safe will allow the council to carry out a full survey to develop options for the best way forward for the building. Options have included the council taking up the space as its new headquarters as well as possible housing and community spaces.

Once the asbestos is clear from the building, conceptual plans and designs, with cost estimates, will be developed.

Councillor Shaun Macdonald, leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, said: “As the owners of this building, we need to conduct important and necessary works to ensure its future is viable and safe, despite the substantial cost to the council tax payer.

“The new council knows that this building at the centre of the town centre cannot be left to deteriorate indefinitely.

“We want to create spaces within the town that the residents and visitors to Camberley will all appreciate, supporting a strong economy and continuing to stimulate the regeneration of Camberley.

“It is important that we take time to assess the cost and benefits of different options before we make a final decision on any final investment.”

House of Fraser became insolvent in 2018 and the council decided to keep the store open on a rolling short-term lease with the tenant liable for business rates but no rent.

Anticipating House of Fraser’s eventual departure, initial feasibility work was undertaken on a number of options as far back as 2022.

The work is part of the wider Camberley town centre regeneration including the refurbishment of The Square shopping centre and High Street, Knoll Walk and Princess Way.