CAB on move again

The CAB is searching for a second home in three years because the tenancy agreement on the property is due to run out in February.

Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors are expanding their business and need the building for their own use.

The bureau moved to its present location three years ago, following problems with overcrowding at their previous office in Sackville Road and a desire to have a ground-floor location.

The current building allows enough space for separate rooms to offer confidential advice and acts as a base for four paid workers and 40 volunteers.

Nester Crouch, assistant manager, said: "It's just a normal tenancy agreement, there's nothing wrong.

"Gaby Hardwicke are in fact being very helpful, they aren't pushing us. They want to expand and our lease is not being renewed, but they're bending over backwards to help us."

The bureau was notified in the Autumn to give them time to look for a new location.

Glenn Jopson, manager of CAB, said: "The landlords are being very generous and considerate. However, may I ask if anyone knows of a good place available to let, can they get in touch?"

Peter Taylor, managing partner of Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors, said in response to the Observer's enquiry: "Gaby Hardwicke bought 8 Endwell Road some years ago, when Abbott and Abbott moved from there to a more prominent position in Devonshire Road.

"The property is next door to our law practice in Eversley Road and so we bought it with long term expansion very much in mind.

"Shortly afterwards we were approached by CAB who were having to relocate from Sackville Road. They could not find alternative accommodation at a rent they could afford. We explained why we had bought the property but that we did not need it immediately and so we were happy to let them have the use of it in the meantime.

"In the circumstances, we granted CAB a three-year lease at a below-market rent and the lease expires in February 2007.

"We met with representatives of CAB in September this year to discuss the ongoing position and explained that, whilst we still had no immediate need of the property, it is likely that we will require it within a year or two.

"They understood, therefore, that they do need to look elsewhere but told us that, in the meantime, they wanted to stay in Endwell Road.

"We therefore agreed to grant them another lease at the same rent for up to three years but on the basis that we could bring it to an end at any time on 12 months notice and CAB could do so on three months notice.

"Thus, the arrangement gives CAB security for a rolling 12 month period but gives them the option to terminate the arrangement when they have found alternative accommodation.

"We recognise that CAB provide an enormously valuable service to the community of Bexhill and Rother and that they work on a very tight budget.

"We have, therefore, been anxious to accommodate them in every way we can, but unfortunately we will in due course need this building for our own practice.

"That is why we bought it and CAB have always known that."