Sale of Backford Hall in Cheshire generates enquiries

Feb 2 2012 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

ESTATE agents selling the council’s Backford Hall site say there has been ‘a lot of interest’ from potential buyers.

Cheshire West and Chester Council announced it was selling the base last May for which it was seeking offers in excess of £2m.

Manchester-based estate agents Colliers are handling the sale which is being offered on an informal tender basis following four open viewing days, with a deadline of February 10.

The site has planning permission for offices but could be converted into a hotel, housing, a care home or an educational college.

Colliers director Mike Brassington said: “There has been a lot of interest from all sorts including traditional developers.”

Mr Brassington said there had been enquiries from house builders, private educational establishments and individuals. Confident of a sale, Mr Brassington said a short-list would be drawn up after the deadline with each bid scrutinised.

Backford Hall is a 24-acre estate with 100,000sq ft of offices based around a 17,000sq ft, Grade II-listed Jacobean mansion.

There’s also a lodge, a stable block and a barn as well as woodland, 12 acres of farmland, a pond and boat house.

Trading standards staff are still working at the site which had been home to 200 staff from other departments such as highways and waste management.

The 40-room building was bought by the defunct Cheshire County Council in 1946 for just £10,000.

It features a galleried hall, mahogany staircase, twisted chimneys and ornamental ceilings.

Previously it has served as a country club, headquarters of the Salvatorian religious order and Liverpool shipping company office.