Former Mill Road Library goes on the market for £700,000

Campaigners are hoping to save the former Mill Road Library in Cambridge for the community after it was put up for sale by Cambridgeshire County Council, with a price tag of more than £700,000.

Bids are being encouraged on the 19th century building, which had previously been a library and then the Bharat Bhavan Hindu temple before being taken back under council control and undergoing a £500,000 refurbishment.

The Hill Group, which is building properties at the nearby former city council depot, currently lease the building until October. The building is registered as an Asset of Community Value, which gives eligible community organisations the chance to assemble a bid to buy the building.

Now one group, The Petersfield Area Community Trust (PACT), is trying to raise interest from other groups who could bid together on the property and stall the sale until at least February next year.

John Franks, chair of PACT, said: “We are disappointed that the building is being sold, as we hoped the County Council would find a new community use for this historic building on a lease that kept it within public ownership. However, this process gives community groups a chance to assemble a bid, and we would love to hear from any group who would like to do that. Cambridge City Council manages this process for any community asset in Cambridge, so we or any eligible group have until Friday 16th September to advise them if a group would like to take this opportunity.

“Giving the City Council a notification of an intent to bid would cause a moratorium on the sale until Sunday 5th February 2023, in order to give the group the chance to assemble the bid, although this is still a tough goal in just six months. We are sure there would be huge community support for an effort to buy the building, and its location just behind the new Mill Road Community Centre may provide new opportunities for community collaboration. PACT would be happy to hear from any group which is not sure of their own eligibility to trigger the moratorium.”

PACT is partnering with the Romsey Mill Trust to run the new Mill Road Community Centre, which is just behind the Library building, being built as part of the ‘Ironworks’ housing scheme on the former Mill Road Depot site.

The premises is on the market with offers of more than £700,000 being sought for a freehold or long lease disposal.

The library was was built in 1892 and opened to residents five years later. It transferred to the county council in 1974 but closed in 1996. For two years it was used as a shelter for people experiencing homelessness before a lease was agreed with the Indian Community and Cultural Association, which ended in 2019.

The county council then obtained listed building consent in order to repair the property. It also sold for £1 an arch with ornate stonework relating to the Hindu shrine which was installed by the previous tenants to the Mill Road Trader’s Association.

The council recently spent nearly £500,000 revamping the Grade II listed building which included works to replace gutters, stop damp penetration and repairs to stonework, brickwork and windows.

Jane Webster, principal urban surveyor at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "The Mill Road library building occupies a large space in a busy central area of Cambridge next to the newly opened Ironworks housing development.

"It's a unique building which people will have to see to appreciate, including attractive red brick façade highlighted by the recent refurbishment. Large windows and high roof space give a light and airy feel to the building.

"The building has real character with massive potential, making this a unique opportunity for the right buyer."

The council believes the property is suitable for a variety of uses including community uses and will consider offers which deliver environmental and social outcomes.

Anyone interested in finding out more information should contact agents Myles at Gerald Eve either by calling 07385 933 680 or emailing MChamberlain@geraldeve.com.

To contact PACT, visit pactcambridge.org.