TWO property developers have expressed interest in turning crumbling council offices into housing, according to Middlesbrough’s mayor. 

Andy Preston revealed two firms had approached officers about converting the town centre headquarters at a scrutiny meeting on Friday (November 20). 

It came after Labour group leader Cllr Matt Storey asked about how any conversion could work in practice.

The mayor said the council had put no money into looking at turning the council’s ageing offices into a residential development.

But he revealed two “significant” property developers had approached officers off their own bats “excited about the potential for central Middlesbrough” and wider urban living plans.

Mr Preston said: “They did their own work and own studies believing there was some viability there.

“They indicated they would be interested in paying something for the building – not very much – and turning into something residential.

“Work has been done but not by the council, it’s not work we’ve undertaken, it’s not an expense we’ve incurred and it’s not a political wish.”

It’s not the first time the council’s headquarters has been mooted as a potential home for residents.

Former Labour deputy mayor Charlie Rooney raised the possibility of Teessiders living in the Muncipal Buildings in early 2019.

Talk of interest comes after leaders scrapped plans to move council staff to Centre North East last month after Mr Preston claimed it would cost £50m to work. 

Executive members decided up to £150,000 would be used for a study to work out the council’s options and possible alternatives. 

But the decision was “called-in” amid concern over lack of details about where this money would go and worry it would be poor value for money. 

Cllr Allan Bell, independent member for Hemlington, didn’t think the use of up to £150,000 of taxpayers cash was good value – branding it “unacceptable”.

“I believe the decision hasn’t been taken properly and without sufficient information,” he added.

However, Mr Preston told the overview and scrutiny board he believed it was “entirely sensible” to use about £100,000 looking at a move.

The mayor said: “The alternative is to do something bloody stupid and commission a £40m building and storm in there in our muddy boots on day one not knowing whether it’s appropriate, environmentally friendly enough, whether it’s in the right location, or whether it’s going to last 100 years.

“The options are this – spend about £100,000 on the highest quality advice making sure we use taxpayers money wisely so we get a building kitted out to last 100 years, or we do something bloody stupid.”

Last month, the mayor said Centre North East was “three to four times the size” of what the council needed – with uncertainty about the Covid-hit office market creating more doubt.

He added a greener building lasting 100 to 200 years is being sought out as a potential alternative.

But Mr Preston told Friday’s panel any move would be “a number of years down the line” before any new office came to fruition. 

After hearing the answers offered up, Cllr Bell wanted the council to “hang fire for six months” to see how the pandemic played out.

He also wanted in-house council staff to look at alternatives for sites in the town before external consultants were brought in.

The scrutiny board unanimously agreed to send the office decision back to leaders.

They will meet again to discuss the item in the next 10 days.