Oxfordshire County Council has announced that they have entered final talks to sell County Hall, with buyers who wish to repurpose it into a “high quality hotel”. Currently, the County Council operates from the County Hall, which is located between Oxford Castle and Westgate. The move, which is expected to happen by Spring of 2027, would take them to Speedwell House.
The council chamber and the coroner’s court date back to 1841, whilst the offices, which comprise the bulk of the County Hall building, are more recent, from 1973. It is a Grade II* listed building and as such, has certain legal protections surrounding alterations, extensions, and demolitions.
The Council received 19 bids to repurpose the County Hall building, with proposals ranging from offices, science labs, and student accommodation. The hotel will join several similar recent additions. Last year, the Store opened, replacing Boswells, the family department store which closed in 2020.
Choosing redevelopment of the County Hall as a hotel furthers the Council’s tourism strategy, which encourages overnight visitors. The Tourist Management Review Group found that, in 2017, while there were fewer overnight visitors than day-trippers, they spent almost eight times more than day-trippers.
In addition to its tourism targets, this move aligns with the Council’s environmental targets. Speedwell House has been touted as “modern, net-zero accommodation”, with several innovations to reduce emissions. The new headquarters will have secure bike storage, air source heat pumps, and minimal car parking. Wilmott Dixon, the contractor chosen to carry out such renovations, has already completed multiple decarbonisation projects for the Council.
The identity of the buyer, as well as the value of the sale, remain confidential. The Council intends to use the value of the sale to fund the extension to Speedwell House, so that it houses the Coroner’s Court and the council chamber. Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, commented: “The bidder that has been selected is offering a very high quality and impressive future for the County Hall site that will complement and improve the whole area as well as offering a significant boost to our local authority.”
