Docks landmark council is struggling to sell has cost taxpayer hundreds of thousands
Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent on empty council offices in Gloucester Docks since they were closed in 2019.
Gloucester City Council has been in the process of selling the Herbert, Kimberley and Philpotts warehouses (HKP) since 2023.
However, the former offices, which are above Dr Foster, have been described as a “difficult site” to develop by council chiefs.
Labour councillors have been told the latest yearly cost of the empty property, which is being sold for £2m, is £132,000.
Councillor Karen James (L, Kingsway) asked for an update on the sale of the property at the the council’s last full meeting.
She said the former council offices in the Docks have been empty since 2019.
“In that time it has been costing the council money in maintenance costs and security,” Cllr James said.
She asked when the former offices will be sold.
Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said the authority is in “close negotiations” with a buyer and that they have changed their initial plans for student accommodation.
“They want to develop it in a different way,” he said.
“It’s a very difficult site because there are other tenants on the ground floor.
“That’s one of the difficulties but they haven’t pulled out yet.”
Cllr Hilton said planners are saying there is not a need for student accommodation in Gloucester.
“The developer has revisited what they want to do,” he added.
“But it’s one of the projects in the exceptional financial support that we have listed as one of the capital sales which wil help cover the £15.5m.”
He said if the council can sell it earlier they would not need to borrow £2m which is what was the original agreed sale price.
Cllr James said after the meeting that the council should be making best use of all its assets. She said officers have told her HKP cost the taxpayer £132,000 last year.
“Keeping a large building such as HKP empty for seven years is clearly not a sensible use of resources,” she said.
“At this crucial time for Gloucester City’s finances, we should be making the best use of all assets and where they are no longer needed, they should be marketed and sold for the best possible market value.”