Poole Civic Centre back on the market after £5.25m sale collapses
The sale of Poole’s Civic Centre has fallen through because the developers wanted to change the terms of their original offer
Poole Civic Centre is set to go back on the market after negotiations over a £5.25 million sale to a property developer collapsed, leaving the future of the former council headquarters uncertain.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s cabinet approved the freehold sale to MCR Property Group in July 2025, following marketing of the site earlier that year. Completion had been expected by 31 March 2026.
But a new report says the deal could not be finalised because MCR sought to change the terms of its original offer during negotiations over the heads of terms and contracts.
The original agreement included the possibility of Poole Town Council leasing part of the former civic offices – known as the “vertical slice” – after the sale.
That arrangement is now considered unnecessary after the town council proposed moving into Poole Museum instead.
A cross-party working group overseeing asset disposals agreed on October 14th that the entire site should be sold without provision to lease part of it back to the town council or another organisation.
BCP Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board is due to consider the report on November 16th. It recommends putting the whole site out to bidders again, although the proposal must first be approved by the full council before a new tender can proceed.
Councillor Mike Cox said the authority had a responsibility to secure the best value for taxpayers, despite the emotional attachment some residents may have to the building.
He said the council faced significant financial pressures, with government funding expected to fall by £15 million in real terms by 2028-29 and described the sale as an important source of capital receipts.
Cllr Cox said the council had supported discussions between MCR and Poole Town Council, but claimed the developer had “reneged on the terms of the deal”.
With the town council now proposing alternative premises, he said there was no longer a case for retaining part of the building.
The council says it wants to progress the disposal quickly while securing the best possible outcome for local taxpayers.