Saga office in Folkestone goes on the market
Published: 11:12, 04 February 2021
Updated: 09:57, 05 February 2021
The huge Saga office block in Folkestone has gone on the market for an undisclosed amount.
The 72,119 sq ft Bouverie House, in Middelburg Square, is showing on Right Move and states its price is on application only.
It is currently home to Saga, a travel and insurance business which specialises in holidays and insurance to the over-50s.
The firm, which also has a call centre in Thanet and another office in Sandgate, is one of the county's biggest employer.
But it has been hit hard by the pandemic which saw its cruise ship operations suspended in March last year.
Since then, staff have been working remotely, which has prompted the sale of the offices.
In June it was announced that around 300 jobs had been slashed as a result of the impact Covid-19 has had on the business.
The property is listed with Kent based estate agent Sibley Pares, and it is suggested that the building could be transformed into flats in the future.
The description reads: "Bouverie House is a landmark high rise office building offering far reaching panoramic views across the English Channel and the North Downs situated in the centre of Folkestone within close proximity to The Leas and Folkestone Harbour.
"Internally the property has a central core providing excellent flexibility to the two East and West wings.
"Ground floor reception providing access the the central stairwell and lift core as well as additional staircases on each wing meaning each floor can be easily subdivided into smaller suites.
"There is secure on-site car parking for 40 cars plus the adjoining NCP car parking offers excellent parking in the area.
"The property would be suitable for conversion to residential flats under Permitted Development or alternative uses subject of course to obtaining the necessary consents.
"The existing layout offers a ground floor canteen and staff breakout facilities with outside enclosed courtyard with the upper floors generally providing open plan office accommodation with demountable partitioning separating out various meeting rooms."
A Saga spokesman said: "Following the successful transition to at-home working ushered in by the pandemic, Saga is moving to a predominately home based working model.
"This permanently flexible approach means it is no longer necessary for us to maintain as much office space as we previously held within our portfolio.
"Therefore, we are actively looking to close a few of our sites to allow us to focus on ensuring working from home is an exceptional experience for all of our colleagues and creating a hub at Enbrook."
Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone
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Sam Williams