Historic landmark building comes onto the market PDF Print
With funds in place for significant restoration and regeneration work, the 19th century landmark historic Town Hall in Bilston, Wolverhampton is seeking new occupiers.

Bilston Town Hall

Bilston Town Hall is currently undergoing restoration work thanks to a package of funding assembled by Wolverhampton City Council, which includes European Regional Development Agency funding (ERDF) and a major contribution from The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as part of the Bilston Townscape Heritage Initiative (BTFI).
Constructed in 1872, Bilston Town Hall is a prestigious Grade II listed building located in the heart of Bilston, which is heralded as the second commercial centre of the city of Wolverhampton.  It was originally built as the town’s free library and has since housed Bilston Urban District Council and most recently, offices of Wolverhampton City Council. The Town Hall is a focal point for the town centre’s conservation area.

The property occupies a site of 0.10 hectares (0.25 acres) and internally has approximately 1,000m2 (10,760 square feet) of floor space arranged over four levels. It is situated within close proximity to the proposed Bilston Urban Village, a 41 hectare mixed-use site being promoted by Wolverhampton City Council and Advantage West Midlands to provide up to 1300 new dwellings, new leisure, healthcare and employment facilities.

The Town Hall, which is being marketed by property consultancy Bruton Knowles on behalf of Wolverhampton City Council, is available on a long term lease of up to 125 years subject to either an annual rent or alternatively via an upfront premium and peppercorn rent.  Wolverhampton City Council will consider proposals from interested parties for a variety of uses for the building, subject to planning and listed building consent.

Ian Mercer, Partner at property consultancy Bruton Knowles in Birmingham comments: “This is an historic and prominent building which has excellent potential. Bilston is a significant centre within the City of Wolverhampton and plays an important role in the city’s overall retail provision. The Town Hall’s proximity to Bilston Urban Village, a vast area which is receiving significant support from the City Council and Advantage West Midlands, is a real advantage. With funding in place to restore the Town Hall to its former glory, it makes a very attractive property proposition.” 

The restoration of Bilston Town Hall will include external envelope works, measures to enable compliance with DDA requirements and a bespoke internal refurbishment to accommodate a range of uses. The external restoration and redevelopment work for the town hall is already underway and is scheduled to finish in early 2006. The second phase of interior work has been scheduled for next year, the design of which will be determined once the future use of the building has been confirmed. 

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Housing, says, “Bilston Town Hall presents a wonderful opportunity for new occupiers. Wolverhampton City Council, with its partners, is renovating the Grade II listed building to return it to its former glory.”

“It is an important property that stands in the heart of the Bilston Town Centre Conservation area, with the proposed Bilston Urban Village nearby.”

Bilston is also extremely well located within the West Midlands and is only 4.5 km from Wolverhampton. It has direct links to Birmingham and Wolverhampton city centre via the Metro, with Bilston metro station within 50 metres of the Town Hall.

Written proposals for Bilston Town Hall should be sent to Bruton Knowles’ Birmingham office by 23rd September 2005. For further details, please contact Ian Mercer or Rob Elliott at Bruton Knowles on 0121 200 1100.