A HEALTH and social care group says it is having to leave its base in Grimsby after ten years due to high rent rates.
Navigo's lease on the Tukes building, in Brighowgate, has come to an end and bosses say the proposed increase in rental payments would make staying there "unaffordable".
The organisation is in the process of securing alternative premises in the town, which will enable it to expand further in the future.
However, a gap between the end of the lease at Brighowgate and securing the new site, means all services have had to be relocated to other Tukes-run buildings across the town in the meantime.
Kevin Bond, chief executive for Navigo, said: "In order to further expand the work of our organisation, Navigo and Tukes have been looking for alternative, fit-for-purpose premises within the town.
"We would then relocate all of our current service provision from the ground floor of Navigo House, in Brighowgate, as well as providing additional space into which we can expand our operations further, when our current lease expired.
"The rent increase the landlord had required from us for future occupancy was not affordable or thought good value, in a climate where we are being funded less and less. After leasing this building for ten years, and improving the property and area surrounding it a great deal, we have found this very disappointing to leave, naturally.
"As we knew our lease of the ground floor at Navigo House was due to cease at some point this year, we have entered into commercial negotiations to secure a new town centre property.
"Unfortunately, the cessation of the lease at Navigo House has not coincided fully with the conclusion of negotiations on a new property, which has left us with a short-term gap in terms of a location to base these services.
"All people who use services at present have, however, been relocated to the many other Tukes services sites and also a new partnership with Centre4.
"Navigo would like to assure both our staff and the public that all of this particular Tukes provision will be replicated and, in fact, improved, enhanced and expanded upon in our new venue, and we would be very grateful for your patience during the changeover period.
"As a local community organisation, we value the support of both the local public and people who use these award-winning services very much.
"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to announce our new location very soon, watch this space."
The building in Brighowgate contained offices, a function room, cafe and other work-based opportunities for people with mental health problems.
Newman & Bond Solicitors, acting on behalf of the building's owner, Mr Daryan, was unavailable to comment at the time of going to press.
Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for details of Navigo and Tuke's new home.
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