Council leader ‘stunned’ by £120k bill for two revolving doors

A £120,000 bill to replace two revolving doors has ‘stunned’ the leader of Rochdale Council, and he has asked officers to find a more cost-effective solution.

Learning of the estimated cost to source new doors to Number One Riverside, Councillor Neil Emmott said the council can not justify "any spending proposals."
 

Read more: Council set to spend £120k on two revolving doorsPublished: 12 December 2024

After more than a decade of use and millions of rotations, the revolving doors are starting to break down more and more often, according to council officers. 

It was previously highlighted that the recent budget papers, which included the £120,000 on the revolving doors in the 2025 spending plan.

Councillor Emmott said: “I was stunned when I saw the estimated cost of replacing these doors and have asked officers to find a more cost-effective solution. We may not be facing the financial catastrophe that some councils are but that does not mean we can justify any spending proposals. 

 

 

“I have always been clear that it is our role to provide good public services while being prudent with the resources that are entrusted to us.”

The local authority claimed the high cost is related to the removal of the current doors and installation of the new ones. They believe the constant repair work on the faulty doors is reason enough to invest into new ones for the building.

Explaining the high estimated cost previously, a spokesman for Rochdale Borough Council said: “Like all public buildings, Number One Riverside needs to be continually maintained to ensure it is meeting the needs of its customers.

“After more than a decade of service and several million rotations the revolving doors now need to be replaced as they have been suffering from a number of faults that are becoming increasingly difficult to repair. 

“This is due to the fact that parts are becoming harder to source and will soon become obsolete. 

“Although costs have yet to be finalised, the estimated budget includes the removal and disposal of the existing doors, supply and installation of new doors, replacement flooring, some associated building work and a warranty.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter