Pump Rooms Sell Off

The long expected news that Malvern Hills District Council have disposed of yet another council owned asset in Tenbury Wells hit the press this week.

The Pump Rooms future has been in some doubt after the District Council moved their local office out of the Pump Rooms and into the hugely expensive extension to the library.

Although the District Council would have found it very difficult to sell the Historic Monument after they had been granted so much money from various public funds to restore it, their policy of disposing of assets (or as they see it, liabilities) meant that they wanted shot of the responsibility of ongoing maintenance.

It appears that Malvern Hills District Council have given the Pump Rooms to the Town Council (although they retain the right to 50% of the proceeds if the Town Council sell it).

The Town Council have not yet officially commented on the transfer as all matters relating to the Pump Rooms have been held in private session.

If the news is correct, then lets hope that the Town Council can run the Pump Rooms at a sufficient profit so that it doesn't become a mill stone around their financially bereft neck! Run with vision, then this building could really be the 'Jewell in the Crown' of Tenbury Wells, but do the Town Council possess the necessary skill and acumen to run a Tourist destination.

Worcester Evening News 14/02/08
Worcester Evening News 22/02/08