Sale of the Municipal Offices

Why is the council selling the Municipal building?

The council has occupied this historic and important building, and it has been used as offices for over 100 years, during this period, however, the ways of working have changed, and the building is no longer suited to modern and efficient working practices.

Listed buildings of this scale are also costly to heat and due to the fabric of the building can be expensive to maintain and the listed nature often inhibits change.

The council is therefore seeking a buyer who has the means and ability to overhaul the building, look toward alternative uses whilst also preserving this landmark property for future generations. The sale will generate capital for local authority services and by relocating staff to more modern and efficient working environment make future reductions in ongoing maintenance and utility costs.

Will council services be disrupted?

The council has committed to an ongoing presence in the town centre and owns a range of real estate assets within Cheltenham offering potential alternatives for those currently working within the Municipal building.

What will the building’s use be going forward?

The Municipal building is currently in use as offices; however, the preferred bid sets out a proposal to transform the Municipal Offices into a vibrant, luxury brand hotel, offering rooms, a spa, event, banqueting and conference space.

How long will the council remain in the building?

The council has committed to retaining a presence in the town centre beyond the sale and vacation of the Municipal building. In the short term, the council will remain in the property until such time as the purchaser is ready to make a meaningful start on conversion (post planning and listed building consent), this is to maintain activity at the site and prevent mothballing, protecting it from deterioration or risk of vandalism through being left unoccupied.

How will the council ensure best value?

The council has employed global real estate advisor, Avison Young to market the Municipal building. With extensive experience in dealing with high-profile listed building disposals across the UK and with an international reach.

The council will also employ several strategies to ensure the building is not mothballed.

What is being sold?

Only the footprint land and building that forms the Municipal Offices is being sold. Today, the council offices are a single mid-terrace building but was formally 13 town houses, odd numbers 49 – 79 The Promenade. The sale will include the bike shed, Council Chamber, public toilets (at the rear) and all the extensions at the rear of the building.

The ownership extends to the back and front to the pavement (highways), and to Winkworths (estate agents) on the south west end and Simon Burn (solicitors) on the north east end.

The ownership also includes metal railings to the front and surface car park to the rear.

The sale excludes the bus station to the rear and the Long Gardens and War Memorial to the front.

Is the parking to the front of the building being sold?

Cheltenham Borough Council do not own the car parking to the front of the building. Gloucestershire Highways will retain responsibility for this parking, it is not included in the sale.

Will buyers be made aware of the properties condition and listed status?

All information relating to the building was available on the agent’s website and related data room which holds further documents and details (requires registration).

The council is committed to be open and transparent about the building providing sufficient information to potential purchasers and aiding them to offer the right money to purchase the building.

Will the council retain (keep) any of the Municipal Offices?

In short, no. The council may opt to stay in the building post sale, to stop the building lying vacant and dormant. This will be agreed as part of the disposal negotiation process.