Hope of restoration as former station to be sold

The Old Station in Cirencester has been used for storage for decades

A former railway station and cottages in Cirencester are to be sold, with the hope that potential buyers can restore the buildings.

Cotswold District Council (CDC) announced the "tough decision" it had reached on Tuesday, stating it had "considered all options thoroughly".

CDC put out a call for interest this year, but none of the potential partners had enough funding to restore the Grade II listed building, which closed to passengers in 1964.

The council's deputy leader of CDC Mike Evemy said it was "not the outcome we had hoped for".

In 2022, CDC explored bringing the Old Station back into use and renovating Memorial Cottages, but a feasibility study last year concluded costs for the project would be too high without further funding.

The buildings require significant work and investment, especially the Old Station, after being used for storage for about 30 years.

At a council meeting on 31 July, it was agreed to put the buildings on the market.

Council officials hopes a buyer, or separate buyers, can be found who can restore the buildings.

This would ensure that the cottages can continue to be used and bring the Old Station back into use, either for business purposes or to provide services or facilities for local people.

'Cost too high'

Mr Evemy said he was "looking forward to seeing what the market holds for the future of these two assets".

"Our ultimate aim needs to be to ensure the buildings have the necessary investment to restore and maintain them.

“As a council we have explored every avenue to bring these buildings back to life and restore them, but unfortunately the cost is just too high.

"In our current financial position with our budgets under severe pressure, we just cannot afford the cost of renovating the buildings ourselves," he said.

Any development of the Old Station will be governed by English Heritage and planning guidelines due to its status as a listed building.

The Old Station was built in 1841 and was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.