Despite having planning permission for conversion to a hotel the property has been vacant for the past 17 years and has now fallen into such a state of disrepair that demolition and redevelopment are essential if the site is to be brought back into productive employment use.

It is also situated in one of the corridors identified as being suitable for tall buildings in the Tall Buildings Strategy (see earlier stories in knowledgebase) and so offers an opportunity for a mixed-use scheme over more storeys than the existing 9. It has the potential to offer up to 40,000 sq metres of new office accommodation.

The Economic Partnership will continue its dialogue with Anston Properties and various departments of the city council in an effort to assist the redevelopment of this important site at the gateway to the city centre.