A derelict historic building in Abingdon is set to become a 20-room hotel after the council agreed to sell it.
Vale of White Horse District Council has agreed to sell Old Abbey House, a building believed to date back to 1780, to Witney-based building company Ede Holdings for £927,000.
It has been empty since 2014.
Council leader Cllr Emily Smith, said: “After standing empty for many years, I am so pleased the council has found a way to bring the much-loved Old Abbey House back into use and secure its future at the heart of Abingdon.
“We’re delighted a local company with the expertise in historical properties will restore the building and create a unique hotel that will help attract visitors to Abingdon town centre, as well as provide new jobs.”
Daniel Ede from Ede Holdings said: “We are very much looking forward to working with the planners to come up with an appropriate hotel scheme, whilst also restoring the building to its former glory.
“The proposed hotel will ensure that the freehold of the building remains intact and that it will be maintained into the future.
“Having originally built and co-owned the Four Pillars Hotel Group (with hotels including the Oxford Thames, Oxford Spires, Cotswold Water Park and Tortworth Court), we are excited to return to the hotel sector.”
“We want to work closely with other local businesses and people, and initially will be looking for a local laundry provider and a local baker for fresh morning produce, as well as cleaning staff.”
Ede estimates the hotel could bring in around £430,000 a year from visitors to the town through retail, food, drink and local attractions.
Work on the refurbishment is expected to begin within a few weeks.
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