Building use to be decided as leather plans dropped

Albion House, in Northampton, was originally earmarked to become a national leather conservation centre

A building could be brought back into use after proposals to turn it into a "centre for leather" fell through.

Albion House, in Northampton, was earmarked to become a national leather conservation centre after the defunct Northampton Borough Council agreed to sell it to a charitable trust about five years ago.

The sale was supposed to see the building used to protect the town's shoe-making and leather heritage, as well as offer space for university students to train in design.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) said it still owned the building and was "exploring future options for the site".

A spokesperson for WNC added: "The council is committed to ensuring that this prominent location contributes positively to Northampton town centre and is hopeful that a decision for the site will be made later in the year."

The four-storey building was originally purchased by the borough council in 2015 for £500,000 and was then partly occupied, with areas being used by WNC for storage.

Since the final commercial tenant moved out last year, the council said maintenance costs had reduced, and the building was being kept part-compliant for roof access at £3,950 per year.

The council said that it was making plans for the future of the site once all existing uses have come to an end.