New owner wanted for historic Plymouth building

The Merchant's House was once a museum but has been closed for almost a decade

Plymouth City Council has announced it is seeking "a company, organisation or individual" to take over one of the city's oldest buildings.

The Merchant's House, a 16th Century property on Palace Street, was once a museum but has been closed for almost a decade.

Councillor Chris Penberthy said the council had "no use for the building" and no funding to restore it.

The council said it was "keen to explore all options" - including the sale of the building or a long commercially viable lease.

'New possibilities'

The Grade II* listed building was first owned by William Parker, the mayor of Plymouth from 1601-1602.

In 1807 the building was extended to the rear and the front used as a shop.

In the 1960s it was a taxi office, then restored by the council and turned into a museum of local heritage, focusing on life in Plymouth over time.

Penberthy said the decision to offer up Merchant's House for new ownership "had not been taken lightly".

He said: "We very much hope some thinkers and doers with the finances and the wherewithal to take on a project like this will come forward.

"The house has been closed for almost a decade and is slowly degrading over time.

"We hope this appeal will generate interest and open up new possibilities for this building."

The council said its preference for future use "would be to enable some form of public access".

Suggestions from the authority include returning the property to a heritage attraction, a tea shop with an historic slant or offices for a business.