[ What now for number 4, the Circus?]
Just recently, l covered the story regarding Ralph Allen’s historic Grade 1 listed Town House and the fact that B&NES was disposing of it on a long lease.
The council argues that ‘the property is surplus to B&NES Corporate Estate and Service Departments.’
It set me thinking of another empty property that the council has under its control. That’s number 4, the Circus. It’s the mid-terrace house that also has the ‘Georgian Garden’ at its rear.
It was – in its glory days – a faithful reinstatement of an original garden dating from 1770 and filled with the plants and flowers that would have been traditionally used in 18th-century gardens.
From what l remembered, this building – which was once occupied by the textile department from Bath Spa University – was managed by a trust.
I took this up with Cllr Paul Roper, who is the Cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development.
He told me that Number 4 was “on a long list of things to sort out.”
The building is still under Heritage Services but is being transferred to the Corporate Estate. Both of which are in his portfolio.
He told me:
“We are in the process of getting some new trustees for the trust. The House and Garden are controlled by the trust.
We need to work out what to do with the building and how to bring it back into use, and that’s down to the trustees – with a bit of guidance from officers – I guess.
There is not much more I can tell you at the moment. It is a priority, though.”
While B&NES is reviewing its property assets, l wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Lewis House in Manvers Street will be let go once the police move into their new station, which is under development at Plymouth House in Monmouth Street.
