North Yorkshire Council will run Catterick Garrison’s new Community and Enterprise Building itself after councillors unanimously agreed an operating model for the facility.
The building off Shute Road forms a part of the wider Catterick Garrison town centre regeneration project and is currently scheduled to open in February 2027.
At a meeting today, the council’s executive backed proposals for the authority to operate the building in-house, working alongside the military’s HIVE information service.
The Community and Enterprise Building will include space for business start-ups, a community kitchen, training opportunities and small business incubator units, as well as facilities for community events and activities.
Councillor Peter Wilkinson, executive member for resources, described the wider regeneration scheme as a multi-million-pound investment in the area and said a decision was now needed on how the new building would operate.
He said: “We did carry out a procurement exercise, and following that, this is both the most cost-effective outcome, but we also believe it will give really significant benefits for the area by providing it in this way.”
Cllr Wilkinson said the council would work closely with HIVE to provide “very much a one-stop shop for both civilians and military personnel within the wider area”.
The council had considered handing operation of the entire building to an external provider and conducted a procurement exercise.
However, the report says the in-house option provides better value for money because it avoids providing financial assistance to an external operator, allows the council to retain income and gives the authority greater control over the facility.
The sole external bidder has been told the contract will not be awarded.
Four council employees are expected to work at the centre, with two customer-facing roles and two operational and property posts.
HIVE is expected to provide an additional part-time employee based in the reception office.
Running the building in-house is expected to cost the council an average of around £233,000 a year over ten years.
The executive agreed £44,000 towards operating costs in 2026/27 and funding of up to £283,000 a year from 2027/28.
The council will be responsible for maintenance, safety and security as well as leasing office, retail and events space.
The report says the new hub could also provide opportunities to retrain service personnel leaving the military, as well as offering training to other Catterick Garrison residents.
