HC Deb 13 June 1985 vol 80 cc540-1W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage return on the capital costs of constructing the Richmond centre he expects when all the accommodation currently accepted or occupied by tenants is producing rent.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply. 12 June 1985, c. 478–89]: The Richmond centre (offices and shops) is 83–6 per cent. let and these agreed tenancies (in occupation or not) will produce a 6–97 per cent. return on the estimated capital cost of construction plus fees.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the tenants of the office accommodation in the Richmond centre in Londonderry; and if he will indicate (a) the minimum, (b) the maximum and (c) the average rent paid per square foot for such accommodation.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1.985, c. 478–79]: Tenants of the Richmond centre office accommodation (known as Richmond Chambers) are as follows:

  • Northern Ireland Housing Executive
  • Londonderry Development Office
  • Londonderry Enterprise Zone Office
  • Valuation and Lands Office
  • Industrial Development Board
  • Rentals per square foot are as follows:
  • (a)minimum £2.79
  • (b)maximum £3.50
  • (c)average £2.92

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the current annual interest charges being paid on the sums expended on the Richmond centre; and what was the total final cost of the centre.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1985, c. 478–79]: Since the Richmond centre project has been financed from Voted money no interest charges are being paid. The total final cost will not be known until April 1986, that is at the end of the period for final measurement allowed in the contract. However, the estimated total final cost is £9.8 million. This figure does not allow for additional costs which may arise from final measurement and unsettled contractual claims.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rental is being paid by the Housing Executive, per square foot, for its accommodation in the Richmond centre, Londonderry; and what was the annual cost over each of the last five years in respect of the accommodation presently occupied by those elements of the Housing Executive which are transferring to the Richmond centre.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1985, c. 478–79]: This is a matter for the chairman of the Housing Executive, who has advised me that the rent for the Housing Executive's accommodation in the Richmond centre is £2.48 per square foot. The accommodation being vacated is largely owned by the Housing Executive; the average rent per square foot for the remainder, approximately 6,200 sq ft out of a total of 18,200 sq ft was as follows for each of the last five years:

£
1980 1.41
1981 1.41
1982 1.41
1983 1.57
1984 1.80

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the commercial tenants of the Richmond centre in Londonderry and indicate (a) the minimum, (b) the maximum and (c) the average rents being paid per square foot and the total income from such tenants.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1985, c. 478–79]: Commercial tenants of the Richmond centre (shopping centre) are as follows:

  • Dunne's Stores
  • Boots PLC
  • F. O'Hagan
  • Mrs. M. Hasson (Benetton)
  • Mr. K. Harrigan
  • Mrs. G. Pearson (Top Notch 3)
  • Mr. G. McGrory
  • Enterprise Zone Office
  • McGovern PVC Windows (NI) Ltd.
  • RHC Motor Spares (Derry) Ltd.
  • Western Distributors Ltd.
  • GUS (Paige)
  • Wine Inns Ltd. (Winemark)
  • Pennywise
  • Europa Models Ltd.
  • Apollo Blinds
  • BSC Trueform
  • BSC Dolcis
  • Burton's Topshop
  • Ratner's
  • Connect
  • Esmond Black
  • Halifax Building Society
  • Harry Curry
  • A. M. Dowsall (Bureau de Change)
  • Mr. and Mrs. M. Doherty
  1. Rentals per square foot let are as follows:
  2. (a) minimum £3.50
  3. (b) maximum £13.00
  4. (c) average £5.50

Storage areas are generally let at £2.00 per square foot. The total income from the above tenants is approximately £517,000 per annum.