Member Article

Croydon Council seeks community backing for Ashburton Library regeneration

Croydon Council has announced it is seeking leasing partners as it looks to renovate local landmark Ashburton Library.

The council hopes to lease all or part of the listed-building, which has been out of use since 2006 and is located in Ashburton Park and totals 6,222 sq ft.

Croydon Council attracted controversy and faced local opposition when it tried, and failed, to dispose of the building at a knockdown price of £85,000 in 2014 just before local elections.

The now Labour-run council hopes to get the site back into use and, in a statement, outlined how any new initiative must include ‘a predominant area’ that is to be ‘utilised for community use’.

New uses for the building that would be considered include a cafe, restaurant and nursery, as well educational, sports, performance and health care purposes.

Nigel Evans, Partner at Stiles Harold Williams, the property agent who is assisting the council, said: “Croydon Council is keen to bring this important locally listed building back into use. At this stage we have been instructed to seek expressions of interest from parties who are keen to occupy all or part of the space.

“There is an open mind to alternative uses but there must be some community element within the building. The building can be let either as one or in separate tenancies.

“Being located in a park this imposing building offers a tremendous opportunity for interested parties to interact with the Park and the community and is a unique and exciting opportunity.”

Expressions of interest from parties are being invited by 30 April.

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