The AA’s home at Basing View is to go on the market next year.
The 47-year-old Fanum House building will be marketed jointly by freeholder Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the AA, which has a long lease on it.
The building is seen as too dated for modern working and the AA is seeking a move. However the firm has committed to staying within the borough.
The site will be considered as part of the regeneration of Basing View and will be marketed in January to gauge interest.
The council’s cabinet member for finance and property Cllr John Izett said: “As freehold owner of Basing View, the borough council has been executing a long-term plan to modernise Basingstoke’s central business district.
“In view of the AA’s decision, we are keen to explore how Fanum House could be part of the continuing regeneration of the area.
“The AA is one of our major employers and a big part of Basingstoke’s history. We have been working with the company for some time to secure its future in the borough and it is great news that the AA has committed to staying here.
“We will continue to work with them on their plans to find a solution that works for both the company and the borough.”
Jakob Pfaudler, AA chief executive, said: “We are at an exciting point in the AA’s history. Following extensive staff and business consultation, and looking at the future direction of the AA, including more flexible working, we concluded that Fanum House no longer fits our needs.
“By working closely with the council, we hope to be able to find a modern future home for the AA in Basingstoke.”
In 2017, the AA had planned to leave the site for the Florence Building nearby but reversed its decision because terms could not be agreed.
Image by Sebastian Ballard, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13491136
© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive your free weekly Thames Tap journal here.