COUNCIL leader, Sir Richard Leese, has warned the Britannia hotel group that they have 'one last chance' after years of neglecting the landmark London Road Fire Station by Piccadilly Station, which has lain empty for the best part of 30 years.
"The building's current owners have presided over its deterioration and disuse. Despite making public commitments to bring it back into use."
The Council may move to seek a new Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) from Britannia Centres Limited (BCL) unless it receives confirmation within six weeks that the hotel group will enter a legally-binding agreement to begin work on the Grade II-listed structure, completed in 1906.
The Council did attempt to secure a CPO back in 2010, but this was rejected in Novermber 2011 by the goverment after BCL made promises to develop the building soon after.
Britannia reneged on their commitments and London Road Fire Station's continued deterioration remains 'the greatest disgrace in Manchester property for almost thirty years'.
For some context read our stories here, here and here.
London Road Fire Station as it was
Members of Manchester City Council’s Executive, the main decision making body of the Council, will be asked to agree to these next steps:
- That the Council states its intention to take steps towards making a new Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for London Road Fire Station unless it receives written confirmation within six weeks from BCL that it will enter into a legally-binding implementation agreement to act on its existing planning permission for the building.
- That the Council offers to work with the owners to ensure the necessary structural services surveys are carried out as soon as possible, and offers to share the costs of such work.
- It will also be asked to note that the Council has a clear view of how the building should be re-used – as a hotel - creating employment and safeguarding this architectural gem. At the same time this would improve the appearance of the area and help attract further investment - especially in helping the area to maximise the opportunities which will be created through the arrival of HS2.
London Road Fire Station
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “London Road Fire Station is a wonderful landmark building with the potential to make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the Piccadilly area.
“But over more than a quarter of a century, it has been allowed to blight this part of the city centre instead. The building's current owners have presided over its deterioration and disuse. Despite making public commitments to bring it back into use, they have so far failed to demonstrate any genuine intention to do so. In this case, their inaction speaks louder than words.
“We are giving them one last chance but they need to act quickly to take it. The people of Manchester have waited long enough for this fine heritage building to be brought back to life, and we will do everything in our power to make sure this happens.”
