What used to be Preston’s Post Office in the city centre could become a new hotel or leisure venue.
AdvertisementStanding on Birley Street the redevelopment of the building has become a bug bear for council leader Peter Rankin.
Back in 2011 he blogged for us about finding a new use for the former Post Office hailing it as “a beautiful, iconic building”.
Alongside the announcement of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the city markets is a note from the council the former Post Office “is to be actively marketed for hotel and leisure development.”
Councillor Rankin goes on to say: “We’ve already had a lot of interest in the former Post Office building and the timing is right now to look to develop this unique, Preston building for possible hotel and leisure development.”
Refurbishment of the building comes with a major cost due to its grade II listed status – preventing major alterations to the building.
In recent months it has found temporary uses as a safe haven for night time clubbers during the festive season and more recently hosting the Best of Britannia North festival – the first time the event showcasing British produce has ventured outside London.
The building was also mooted as a potential home for the University Technical College, but this failed to attract government funding.
Estimates from city council planning officers state bringing the building back into use would cost more than £2 million.
In 2013 a study commissioned by the city council found Preston was lacking hotel rooms, with an opportunity for a city centre hotel with 100 bedrooms alongside boutique hotels.
Since 2011 councillor Rankin has hawked the Post Office building, will 2015 mark the year he finds a bidder?
What do you think of the plan? Would it work as a hotel or leisure venue? Let us know in the comments below