THE former DSS building in Northwich town centre could be knocked down and a new hotel or retail outlet created in its place.

The 16,300sq ft, 0.54-acre premises off Chesterway is being sold by Manchester-based agents G L Hearn, who told the Chronicle a number of companies have also expressed an interest in retaining the building for offices.

A spokeswoman said: “We’re inviting offers for the re-use of the building or of the site, and we will continue to do so until there is a suitable offer for an appropriate development.”

G L Hearn say there are no restrictions, apart from planning permission, on what the building or site can be used for.

“We’re leaving it up to the market to decide,” said the spokeswoman.

“We’ve had a lot of interest, some from developers would keep the building, and others who it wouldn’t work for.”

She added: “Due to the building’s proximity to the town centre, there’s a wide range of things it could be used for. It’s an excellent location.

“Enquiries have been mostly for hotels but there has been some interest in developing the site for retail, and other people looking at it for offices.”

Northwich has been without a major hotel since the iconic Floatel closed in January when its parent firm, the Real Hotel Company, fell victim to the credit crunch.

It’s understood a potential hotel could have 60 or more bedrooms. But G L Hearn wouldn’t name any of the interested parties.

There is no set guide price for the premises, said the spokeswoman, and the value “will be dependent on the planned use”.