‘Expressions of interest’ have been shown from potential developers of Burnham-On-Sea’s former job centre, it has been confimed this week, but the wait for the overhaul of the property looks set to continue.
It is six years since the three-storey building shut down at the northern end of Burnham’s High Street and the corner of Regent Street.
Agents Alder King, who are marketing the property, say there has been interest in the property, which is held on a lease until 2018.
“Alder King has been instructed by the leaseholder to find a new occupier to take the entire property on an assignment of the existing lease or on a sub-lease for a maximum four-year period,” said the firm.
Spokeswoman Emma Smith told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “While we have had expressions of interest in the ground floor retail unit, our brief is to sub-let the whole property.”
“The property sits in a prominent location in the town and would suit a business that can make good short-term use of the excellent ground floor window frontages on two sides and utilise the upper floors for offices or storage, subject to securing planning consent for change of use.”
“We have seen a definite improvement in market sentiment, particularly from the leisure, service and retail sectors, and we are hopeful that the property will appeal to a business in one of these areas.”
The premises is one of the biggest commercial premises in Burnham town centre with a retail unit on the ground floor measuring 3,705 sq ft and a further 4,192 sq ft of accommodation on the first and second floors.
One local businessman, who asked not to be named, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s a great shame that this building cannot be split up into smaller units because I’m sure it would go quickly. Taking on the whole of a property this size is just too much for anyone other than national retail chains, so it sadly will remain empty.”
