“MULTIPLE parties” have shown an interest in taking on Salisbury City Hall and running it as an entertainment venue.

Wiltshire Council was updated on progress ahead of marketing of the venue ending at the end of the month.

Property agent Savills has been marketing the property on a long-term lease basis, on the condition it remains as an entertainment venue, with the council retaining ownership of the building.

The council’s Salisbury Area Board received an update on the plan on Thursday (September 19), in which Savills confirmed there had been “interest from multiple parties in taking a long-term lease to operate the building”.

“At the end of September, Savills will ask interested parties to confirm views on the lease and scheduling. Savills will then make recommendations to the council based on the outcomes,” a spokesperson said.

“Confirmation of the interested parties cannot be released due to the commercial nature of the situation.”

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Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of the council, said: “We’re pleased that there has been interest in City Hall as given its heritage and location in the centre of Wiltshire’s only city it offers so much potential for a successful future.

“We see a successful re-opened City Hall complementing the wider cultural offer of Salisbury and all the other investment currently taking place in the city.

“We want Salisbury City Hall to be sustainable for the long-term at no extra cost to the Wiltshire Council taxpayer and that’s why this due diligence is so essential – we want to get this right.

“Due to the commercial nature of the conversations, and with the marketing still ongoing for a short time longer, we can’t share any further specific details at this stage, but we will keep everyone updated as soon as we’re able to.”

As part of the process, the council has invited any potential interested tenants to submit social value plans.

When appropriate, the council will have separate discussions relating to the added social value that can be delivered through City Hall and how the venue can contribute to the aims and objectives set out in the council’s new Cultural Strategy for Wiltshire, which was formally adopted in July.

For more information on City Hall, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/salisbury-city-hall.