Council to close HQ on Fridays to save money

A cash-strapped council is set to shut its main headquarters on Fridays to save money.

Slough Borough Council said it had made the decision to close Observatory House in Windsor Road to make a saving of £90,000 a year.

The local authority said staff based at the offices would work from alternative council buildings or from home on Fridays.

The closure will begin on Friday 6 February. Other council buildings, including libraries, Britwell Hub, Chalvey Hub and The Curve are not affected.

Councillor Dexter Smith, leader, said: "This is only one of our buildings closing on Fridays, not the council.

"Like most businesses where hybrid working is a policy, on Fridays there are far fewer members of staff accessing our main headquarters building than on other days of the week.

"There has been a great deal of work undertaken to ensure this change does not affect council services which residents rely on every day of the week, and we are reassured our services will continue as usual.

"This opportunity to make a substantial financial saving, whilst maintaining our services is one we cannot pass up."