'Vanity project' and 'failing scheme' were just two of the phrases used by councillors to describe the plans to create a new customer service hub in the foyer of the Royal Pump Rooms, backed by the new Green and Labour coalition.

During a two-hour debate at Warwick District Council (WDC) on Wednesday, a petition signed by over 2,300 people to save the shop at the Leamington centre was pushed aside, as the new ruling councillors voted the plans through.

The original decision to move services to the Pump Rooms was taken in February when a Conservative-led cabinet was still in power. 

Earlier this month, WDC's new cabinet unanimously agreed to repurpose the shop in the Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade due to the planned sale and closure of the council's Riverside House base.

A council report acknowledging the closure would "directly impact on 20 artists who regularly sell their works at the site" but the two leading parties stuck together and voted to continue with the proposals, despite three waves of opposition on at this week's full council meeting.

Alternative proposals to relocate the council's services to the Town Hall or a vacant shop were deemed less favourable by professionals at the authority.

Following the decision, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Alan Boad criticised his Green party counterpart.

"Cllr Ian Davison had claimed that he was concerned about a black hole in the council's budget, but his first action as leader of the council has been to force through an unpopular proposal costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, without undertaking any form of public consultation and against the wishes of a large petition," he said.

"The Green Party likes to say that it supports independent thinking amongst its councillors, but Cllr Davison not only whipped all of his councillors to stifle debate and support all of his proposals, he whipped all of the Labour councillors to support him too. 

"Circumstances have changed since the initial decision in February.

"Since then, it has doubled in cost and will have a much bigger impact on the Pump Rooms, with alternatives barely considered at any point.

"Just saying repeatedly that it was all decided in February isn't true and doesn't make it the right decision. We had hoped that the new council would foster a spirit of collaboration, but it seems that Cllr Davison is only interested in getting his own way, no matter what the costs."

Councillors pointed out during the meeting that estimated costs have shot up from £200,000 to £410,000.

And other members also questioned the new and inconsistent information over potential footfall, as well as a four-month delay – from October this year to February 2024 – to moving out of Riverside House that only came to light over the past week. 

The Lib Dems say they are not convinced that the new timings are achievable.

However, the Greens have backed their position, and said they will do what they can to support the 20 artists impacted by the closure of the shop.

"Other options, like moving into the Town Hall were seriously considered but this would have led to an unacceptable service for residents needing support and incurred very high costs," said Cllr Davison.

"Renting another property that we don't own would also lead to considerable ongoing payments.

"It costs £58,000 to the council tax for every month we don't move out of Riverside House.

"This is a building the council has been trying to move out of since 2015 and the delays have been massively expensive for tax payers.

"Buildings like the Pump Rooms and the Town Hall are special for our town and district as a whole and it's right this decision has been very closely scrutinised.

"This issue has now been fully debated by two overview and scrutiny committees, cabinet and full council.

"Delaying the decision further would cost more for no gain. It's time to get on with sensitively providing a high quality customer service point for residents whilst continuing to look after our beautiful historic buildings."