NEW office premises currently under construction at Kilworthy Park in Tavistock will be available to hire with an alcohol licence, in an effort to save tax payers' money.
West Devon Borough Council this week released a statement concerning its application for a premises licence to supply alcohol for its new building.
Lesley Halton, the council's corporate director, said the new build had been cost neutral and was primarily aimed at the public sector, providing meeting and conference facilities.
'To ensure there is no cost to the taxpayer in running and maintaining the facilities we have to raise revenue through lettings.
'We have no alcohol licence. The licence we have applied for is a premises licence, allowing us the ability to make the most of the venue as needs demand,' she said.
'We have always welcomed community groups to our premises and we have found after consultation with the licensing officers, environmental health and the police, that to avoid the cost and inconvenience of multiple applications to cover each type of group who may use the facility, then the licensing application has to be wide-ranging.
'However, we will be charging commercial rates for seminars and business meetings and this is an area we will seek to develop. This strategy was always part of the business plan to make the new build cost neutral.'
Ms Halton said by developing this initiative in Tavistock, the council hoped to bring more visitors to the area, to benefit hotels, restaurants, caterers and shops as well as improving employment opportunities among such businesses.