Organisations wishing to buy the the former Mill Road library will now have until Wednesday 1 May to make their bid for the historic building.
The historic building is back up for sale after a children’s mental health charity backed out of purchasing the site due to the amount of work that needed to be completed to bring the former library back into use.
There will be an open afternoon on Friday 19 April, when prospective buyers and interested members of the community can drop in to take a look inside the building between 12 noon and 6pm.
The building has been declared an Asset of Community Value, which means that the sale of the former library must be delayed for six months while community groups attempt to pull together their bids.
However, one group expressed surprise at the May 1 deadline for bids, which is just six weeks after the sale announcement.
Matthew Webb, who represents a group hoping to launch an arts centre in the building, said: “We were not aware of this deadline, which seems to be different from the last time the library was on sale. I want to know what's happened to the process? What's happened to a clean, clear way of organising the sale which comes to the best outcome? We still plan to bid, but we're expecting a clear process that shows faith in a social and environmental outcome rather than a quick sale.”
The site is being advertised again after the previous preferred bidder, Centre 33, decided not to continue with their proposals for a new charity HQ.
The Victorian former Mill Road Library is a unique Grade II listed building in central Cambridge with huge character. The library closed in 1996 and the building has been leased to various community groups over the last few years.
The property is marketed by Gerald Eve, with a guide price of £700,000.
The bidding process is open to both community and commercial investors. The county council has expressed that it is keen to encourage as much interest as possible to secure the best future for this historic building.
Offers will be considered by councillors on the assets & procurement committee at their June meeting. Councillors will review not only the financial bid made but whether the offer delivers environmental and social benefits.
Nearly £500,000 has been invested in the building in recent years to replace gutters, eliminate damp and repair stonework, brickwork and windows.
Mill Road Library has been registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) following representations from the community. This process is managed by Cambridge City Council.
ACV status ensures local community organisations are informed of the council’s intention to sell the property. These groups have six weeks to register their interest, which will prohibit the sale of the building for a further four and a half months. This allows community organisations six months in total to demonstrate their proposals – but, the council explains, will not determine who can buy the building or the price. The council expects strong interest from both community and commercial bidders.
John Macmillan, head of assets at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “The former Mill Road library has great character and offers a large, versatile space in a busy central area of Cambridge. It’s a unique opportunity for the right buyer.
"It's a building which people will have to see to appreciate, including attractive red brick façade highlighted by the recent refurbishment. The large windows and high roof space give a light and airy feel to the building.”
Cllr Ros Hathorn, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Assets and Procurement Committee, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to find the best use for what is an iconic building in the local area.
“The Committee will take in to account environmental and social considerations, as well as the financial offer put forward when reviewing the bids we receive.
“We look forward to hearing from interested community and commercial organisations as we look to find a new guardian for this listed building.”
Anyone interested in finding out more information or making a bid should contact Tristan Ball (07825 280910, tball@geraldeve.com) or Ben Gilbey (07393 764732, bgilbey@geraldeve.com) at Gerald Eve agents.
Assistance can be provided in preparing community bids and making the necessary notification by emailing right-to-bid@cambridge.gov.uk .
More information on the premises can be found at: https://www.geraldeve.com/properties/?propertyid=24746
