Hotel won’t be housed in town hall
MANCHESTER council bosses have ruled out turning part of the city’s Grade I listed town hall into a hotel – but instead intend to rent out some of it as offices.
The latest phase of planning for the landmark’s £330m refurbishment has seen various possible money-making ventures investigated by independent experts.
That included turning part of it into a 65-bed boutique hotel, as well as opening up its courtyard and basement to independent food and drink outlets.
However, neither of those options is now considered workable, according to a report going before members next week.
Instead they are proposing to rent out the building’s upper floors as offices to other public sector organisations and small businesses.
Manchester’s tourist information office could also move into the town hall in order to capitalise on the historic gem’s status as a visitor attraction. The council first unveiled plans for a huge refurbishment last year, citing the town hall’s crumbling Victorian infrastructure – including leaking ceilings, faulty windows and an archaic and inefficient heating system.
It also wants to ensure a range of heritage treasures are restored and protected from damage, while modernising access to the building and opening up new parts of it to the public.
As part of that officials have been looking at a range of ways the town hall could generate income. Initial suggestions that part of the building could open up to a boutique hotel operator have been deemed unfeasible, because it would mean £30m in extra refurbishment costs and place too much risk on the council.
Officials believe it is too difficult to predict levels of demand in five years, when the refurb is complete, and fear the council could be left without an operator if the market falters in that time.
Research also suggested small food and drink outlets in the basement would be unlikely to attract passing trade. As a result that option has more or less been ruled out as well.
Instead they have settled on using upper floors for office space, the demand for which they believe will remain stable.
Deputy council leader Coun Bernard Priest said: “As a result of the rigorous work done we are confident that we have a scheme which will deliver real and enduring benefits for Manchester. “Allowing this iconic building to slide into decay and disuse is not an option. We are confident that we have struck the right balance in these plans between introducing some commercial elements, which will help generate income to support services and preserving the town hall’s essential character.”
The refurbishment will require all councillors and staff to move out by next Christmas for at least five years.
The proposal will go before executive councillors in March for overall signoff, although some details will need to be approved as it progresses.