Slough Borough Council's former headquarters put up for sale

Slough Borough Council’s former headquarters, St Martin’s Place, has been put up for sale.

The building on the corner of Bath Road and Montem Lane has been unoccupied since 2020 when the last staff moved out due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The council has been considering the future of both St Martin’s Place and its current headquarters, Observatory House, as it attempts to fix its finances.

Real Estate firm Avison Young is now accepting offers for the former council offices with the site described as a ‘significant residential conversion and development opportunity’.

Councillor Dexter Smith, leader of the Conservative-run council, said: “Since the council moved to Observatory House in 2019 and then following the pandemic and the financial challenges, there has been much discussion on the future of both Observatory House and St Martin’s Place and whether either had a future as a council building.

“Now we have taken the decision St Martin’s Place is surplus to our requirements and it has gone on the open market.

“As with all our assets, we will be looking at getting the best value in terms of a financial return but also what brings most benefits to local people.”

The council said St Martin’s Place costs £500,000 per year in business rates, security and upkeep.

The site, which was the council’s headquarters for more than 12 years, includes a three-storey building with substantial surface level and underground parking.

The listing forms part of the council’s programme of asset sales which is designed to dispose of land, buildings and other holdings which the council no longer needs.

The council said its aim is to gain ‘best value’ during the sale of council assets.