Former council offices could become luxury spa hotel

A Grade II-listed building that once housed council offices could become a luxury spa hotel.

Cheltenham Borough Council placed the Municipal Offices on the market in September 2024 and has now selected Almiranta Capital as the preferred bidder.

Developers hope to transform the building, based in the heart of the town, into a hotel with 125 rooms, a spa, and event space.

Mario San Jacinto of Almiranta Capital said: "We want to create a place where visitors and local people will come together socially and for business, which is well connected to all that Cheltenham and the Cotswolds have to offer."

Almiranta Capital has now signed a preliminary agreement with the council, but they will still need to submit a planning application.

Details of how much the council will gain from the sale and further proposals for the scheme remain commercially confidential, the council said.

Rowena Hay, leader of the council, said: "At every stage, we have committed to ensuring that the sale will bring benefit to Cheltenham, and retain the heritage of this magnificent building, which is, and will continue to be, at the very heart of our town centre."

The council said it is dedicated to working alongside the bidder, towards delivery of the spa hotel.

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