Final agreement on selling off one of Preston’s iconic listed buildings is to be discussed.
AdvertisementThe Old Post Office in Birley Street is to be sold to a small hotel chain, Blog Preston understands.
Preston City Council’s cabinet is due to see a report which recommends the sale of the grade-II listed building to one of three bidders.
The identity of who has won the tender to take the labyrinth of rooms off the council’s hands is currently under-wraps.
A report to be discussed on Wednesday 22 June has been restricted from the media and public, which will name who has secured the building.
It is understood whoever buys it will refurbish it as a luxury hotel in the heart of the city centre, at a significant cost due to the building’s current state. No financial details are to be given at this stage.
Related: Heritage expert blasts council for lack of upkeep on Old Post Office
In May the city council received stinging criticism from cricket hero Andrew Flintoff about the building.
He claimed his discussions about buying the building and turning it into a hotel, as part of a consortium, did not go far enough. The city council said it never received an official offer from Flintoff and his group.
Finding a new use for the Old Post Office has been a hobbyhorse of council leader councillor Peter Rankin, he wrote for Blog Preston in 2011 exploring the issue of what should happen with it.
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