WYRE Forest District Council chiefs have hit back at ‘misleading’ reports regarding the costs involved with transforming the Piano Building.
The council took to social media to give its response to reports circulating about its investment, business rates, service charges and proposed rent at the Kidderminster town centre building.
In total, Wyre Forest District Council received £17.9million in Levelling Up funding for three schemes, with a £9million transformation of the Piano Building which was completed in October 2025.
Speculation included claims the £9million mentioned was merely the cost to acquire the building.
But, in its statement, the council was adamant the £9million was the total project cost and the cash needed to acquire the building accounted for about 25 per cent of the total investment.
The statement also quashed other rumours about the finances surrounding the Piano Building.
It said: “To clarify on business rates, they are set by the central government, not local councils.
“Local councils’ role is to collect business rates on behalf of the central government.
“The current proposed rents for the Piano Building are set at 20 per cent below market level already.
“All rental income generated from this asset and the council’s commercial portfolio goes towards securing financial sustainability for services that local communities value.
“Service charges reflect the costs of maintaining and running the building and are shared between tenants.
“This is standard estate management practice as set by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
“The council is not making any profit from these proposed service charges.”
The Grade II listed former carpet factory takes its name from its distinctive grand piano shape when viewed from above.
