Historic buildings could be revamped in £2m deal

Historic dockland buildings that have been vacant for almost a decade could be rejuvenated as part of a £2m deal.

The council-owned Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts warehouses at Gloucester Docks have stood empty for seven years and cost taxpayers about £132,000 annually in security and maintenance.

Gloucester City Council chiefs said selling the Grade II-listed buildings has been difficult because there are other tenants on the ground floor, but a solution might have been found.

Councillors will decide at a meeting later if they should offer to sell the site as an underlease, meaning they pass its control to a buyer while keeping the main lease.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, council leader, said the move will make it easier to sell the site.

"It's less complicated and will allow the regeneration of the buildings.

"The only difficulty is that if there were a collapse, the building would come back to the council," he added.

The site would be sold as a mixed-use development, including a hotel.

Councillor Pam Tracey said the regeneration project would "enhance the docks".

"It would be nice to have a lovely hotel there.

"It's a nice environment and it's central. It would be wonderful for the docks," she added.

A £2m sale price for the warehouses is understood to have been agreed, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Another development at the docks is also due to be discussed at a council meeting later.

Developer Rokeby Merchant was granted planning permission in 2023 for a residential scheme, including a new 10-storey apartment block at Bakers Quay.

Council leaders are considering approving £1.5m of Homes England funding to help restart construction.

The project is the final phase in the regeneration of the quays.

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