Sale of Municipal Offices gets underway with appointment of agent

Commercial real estate agent, Avison Young has been appointed to market the sale of the Municipal Offices in Cheltenham. The agent will help to find a buyer for the iconic and much loved, town centre building.

The offices will not be marketed immediately, as an important first step will be for the agents to take time to familiarise themselves with the property. They will then create a marketing strategy which will carefully reflect market conditions, potential purchasers, the local economy and will also take into account stakeholder engagement and consultation.  The final strategy will then be considered and agreed at a meeting of Full Council prior to proceeding to the open market.

Councillor Rowena Hay, leader said:  ‘’This is an excellent step forward. We are pleased with the outcome of a thorough procurement process which has led to the appointment of Avison Young and it’s great to have them on board as we move ahead with the sale of our much loved building.

‘’The Municipal Offices is a beautiful building and our ambition is to preserve it in all its glory.  We are absolutely committed to safeguard it, respect the heritage of its setting, while taking every opportunity offered by modern architecture, technology and new building materials. This will allow a development that improves its surroundings and creates space for future use, leaving an appropriate legacy.

‘’Now that we are working with Avison Young, we can move ahead and start exploring future options for the building.’’

Gordon Isgrove, principal at Avison Young added:  “This is a truly special building and for prospective purchasers, it represents an exceptional opportunity in the heart of Cheltenham and adjoining the main retail pitch. We are anticipating strong interest from developers who are looking to create a very special development that benefits from this unique position.”

It is expected that any sale will take 2-3 years before redevelopment would take place. During this time, the council will continue to occupy the space alongside a number of short-term let tenants. 

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About Avison Young

Avison Young is a global commercial real estate firm with extensive experience of marketing unusual and listed buildings across the UK, including The Old War Office in London, and the Clifton Lido, Bristol, and The Mineral Hospital in Bath, as well as acting for Cheltenham Borough Council in securing a development partner for the Golden Valley Development.

Municipal Offices options

Options for the Municipal Offices were discussed by cabinet and council in July last year. It was agreed that to meet the needs of a modern local authority and with the move towards hybrid working arrangements, the offices are no longer appropriate for use by the council.  The carbon footprint is considerable and the building is not accessible for those with mobility requirements. 

At the heart of the proposals:

Future ways of working and supporting customers.

Commitment to preserve and protect the building so that it plays an active role in vibrancy of town centre.

Financial savings and a reduced environmental impact.

The decision notice can be found on our website.