Manchester’s London Road Fire Station is finally being put up for sale ending years of wrangling over its future – and it is already attracting enquiries.
The listed building, which is on English Heritage’s at-risk register, will now be marketed to potential buyers, but council bosses are determined to ensure that whoever buys the property will then redevelop it.
A spokesman for Manchester Council said: “The regeneration of the Piccadilly area is at a pivotal stage and the reuse of the London Road Fire Station as a hotel will improve the appearance of the wider area, create new jobs and maximise the opportunities created through HS2. The council supports the sale of this important landmark building”.
Christie + Co’s head of leisure and development, Jon Patrick, said: “The average sale price of hotels in the UK increased by more than 17 per cent in 2014 and the hospitality sector is witnessing a robust period of investment both for individual and portfolio opportunities.”
He continued to say that strategically located properties with the history and character of London Road Fire Station make superb real estate conversions and they have been encouraged by the interest already shown in the property from both within the UK and from overseas.
Britannia Hotels, who currently own the property, commented: “The dynamics of the UK’s hotel market have improved significantly and, we feel the time is now appropriate to conduct an open and transparent sales process”.
The Manchester Evening News reports that the property will be put on the market with undisclosed reserve price but in the meantime, the council will continue with their Compulsory Purchase Order which was started earlier this year.
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