Bristol City Council buys new £18m site near Temple Meads

The new premises at 100 Temple Street near Bristol Temple Meads were purchased for about £18m

The local authority in Bristol has bought new premises in the city centre as part of a move to cut costs.

Bristol City Council wants to move its staff into fewer locations so it uses less office space.

The new site at 100 Temple Street near Bristol Temple Meads railway station cost the authority about £18m.

The council wants to reduce about 40% of the space it currently occupies, which would save about £40m in the next 25 years.

It said council-owned offices vacated following the move, due to begin early next year, will be sold.

Mayor George Ferguson, an independent, said it makes "complete sense" to reduce the number of offices the council owns or leases across the city.

He said: "The recession makes this a good time to make this purchase and it represents a good deal for the taxpayer."

The aim is for the majority of staff to work out of the new Temple Street building, and a refurbished City Hall.

Mr Ferguson said the Temple Street location is "very strategic" being situated next to Temple Meads and the planned Metrobus interchange.