Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

Three developers will unveil their proposals for the redevelopment of Fulham Town Hall today, following a selection process led by Hammersmith and Fulham borough Council (H&F). The winning bidder is expected to be announced in the New Year.

The Council announced its plans to sell the grade two listed Town Hall in February and more than a dozen interested parties from across the world registered their interest, the Council said. Following the exhibition the council will review the responses and make a final decision early in 2012.

H&F council has worked with consultants to choose three finalists on the basis that their plans keep the "historical character of the building and respects its heritage", the Council said.

It is thought that the two frontrunners to buy Fulham Town Hall are a Singapore-based hotel group Mastelle and American retail group Dory Ventures.

Dory Ventures' plans outline a lifestyle emporium, with Maclaren as the anchor occupier, and other Dory brands such as Laser Performance and Albert Thurston as tenants, according to an EGi report. Other parts of the building would be restored for high-quality, private residential use.

Mastelle, which restored Bethnal Green Town Hall, has proposed a similar concept in Fulham, the EGi report said. Its redevelopment of the Town Hall would comprise a 50-bedroom hotel with restaurants and bars for hotel residents and the public.

Fulham Town Hall is situated opposite the Fulham Broadway tube station and is one of several buildings across the borough that H&F council is selling. It is trying to reduce its historic £133 million debt, which is costing taxpayers around £5 million a year in interest payments, the Council said.

The Council also has to make £65m of savings in the next three years and the majority of people who responded to a consultation held last year agreed that it would be sensible to sell the building so that more money could be directed towards frontline services.

The Council said that it is committed to retaining the heritage and historical identity of the Town Hall and all three bids will allow parts of the building to be available for public use in the future.

“The proposals for Fulham Town Hall by each party offer varied and innovative ways to regenerate the property while acting as a catalyst for improvements in the wider area," said Councillor Nick Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment.

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