The government’s proposed purchase of office space in London is expected to carry annual operating and maintenance costs of £100,000 (about EC$363,000).
Premier Cora Richardson Hodge, who also serves as finance minister, announced the figure during a question and answer session in a sitting of the Anguilla House of Assembly on 14 July.
She said the figure came from preliminary financial work that has been undertaken to assess the likely recurring costs associated with the accommodation options currently under consideration.
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“This is a high-level planning estimate and remains subject to confirmation through the ongoing legal, technical and financial due diligence,” she told members.
It will pay for “the principal costs ordinarily associated with owning and operating property of this nature”, she said.
These include insurance, utilities, routine and planned maintenance, statutory inspections and compliance, security and access arrangements, property management, and professional oversight and provision for periodic repairs.
She said the final net cost will depend on the particular operating arrangements ultimately adopted such as the extent and timing of government occupation, and any opportunities to offset part of the costs through the appropriate use of the premises, including leasing of space.
The premier said where the right property and operating arrangements are secured, she expects the broader benefits of the office to Anguilla to “substantially outweigh” the ongoing cost of ownership.
“Given that the due diligence process is still being completed, it would be premature to provide a detailed breakdown that may later prove inaccurate or misleading,” she added.
Richardson Hodge said full operating cost assessment will be advanced alongside the acquisition.
Site details
The operating costs was just one of the details that opposition member Merrick Richardson requested on the possible future acquisition of a multi-million-dollar property in the United Kingdom.
He also asked the premier if a site has been identified and its location and address could be made public.
Richardson Hodge answered that a particular property is presently “under consideration”, and the government is continuing to undertake due diligence.
“The process has not yet been completed, and no final decision has been made to proceed with an acquisition,” she said.
In the meantime, the premier said the government is keeping its options open and continues to review other suitable opportunities until a final determination has been made.
“Given that the process remains active and is commercially sensitive, it would not be appropriate at this stage to publicly disclose the location or address of the property under consideration,” she added.
“Premature disclosure could prejudice the government’s negotiating position and its ability to secure the best possible terms of.”
The opposition member also asked if the proposed purchase price could be stated, to which the premier said it is not being disclosed while due diligence and negotiations remain ongoing.
She reminded members that the government had originally included an allocation of $9.5 million in the latest supplementary budget.
This was removed at the request of the opposition, but will be included in a further supplementary budget at a later date.
“That provision is intended to facilitate the potential acquisition of property under consideration, together with associated legal, due diligence, professional and other ancillary costs,” she said.
Anguilla House
Richardson Hodge first announced the ‘Anguilla House’ initiative at a press conference on 22 December 2025, saying she was “very excited to bring this to the public’s attention”.
The premier said past governments as well as many Anguillians overseas had complained for several years about the lack of presence in the UK.
She explained that a government underspend in 2025 had allowed public funds to be allocated to acquire property in London and said the Executive Council had given approval earlier that month.
On 26 January, the premier said the administration had set aside US$5–6 million for the office which is intended to be used as a “hub” to house Anguilla’s UK-based representative Blondel Cluff.
It will also accommodate future destination marketing staff and visiting officials, and serve as a point of contact for Anguillians relocating or visiting for education or medical reasons, she said.
“What that presence means is that we have the ability to have continued engagement with the United Kingdom,” the premier said.
During the 10 February meeting of the Anguilla House of Assembly, opposition member Richardson raised detailed parliamentary questions on the matter.
Then on 20 February, opposition members launched an online petition stating the purchase would “commit the country to significant upfront costs and ongoing expenses for years to come”.
The petition ends by calling on the government to cancel the proposed purchase and pursue more affordable, transparent and accountable alternatives “that protect the nation’s financial future”.
