Wokingham Council Considers Selling M&S Building

The former Marks & Spencer building in Wokingham could be sold instead of being converted into the council's new headquarters.

Wokingham Borough Council has been looking at moving from Shute End since 2023 to find a more modern, cost‑effective base. The current offices cost around £1 million a year to run.

The town-centre M&S unit at 28-38 Peach Street was bought by the council in 2017 for £1.9 million and was the preferred option - but a report says it could now be sold to generate revenue. The Liberal Democrat executive will consider the options, including staying at Shute End for the next 10 years.

Opposition leader Pauline Jorgensen has rejected the move. "Shute End is the right choice. It's central, accessible, has the facilities we need, including a proper council chamber, accessible parking, and it already serves residents well."

She warned the M&S site lacks parking and has structural issues. "The M&S building would be ludicrous; it does not have enough parking, plus it has RAAC [crumbling concrete]."

Jorgensen added the plan hadn't been thought through for residents. "It was just ridiculous, it wasn't going to work, it has to be designed around residents' use, not the convenience of officers. You need services in one place."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter