One of the most
striking old houses in Coventry is to be put on the open market by the city council.
Canal House, a listed building, which was built in the late 18th or early 19th
century when the canal system was at its peak will be advertised for sale within the next
few weeks.
It began life as the manager of the canal company’s residence and is an imposing
sight overlooking the canal basin which the city council and other agencies have
endeavoured to develop into a vibrant tourist area.
A spokesman for the council’s property portfolio management team said:
"It came into the city council’s possession about thirty years ago and has
since been used as an operational building. It was used by the education department for
several years and was the headquarters of the Pearl Hyde Narrowboat Trust, which ran canal
trips for schoolchildren.
"It has now become surplus to requirements and we have been instructed to put it
on the open market. It will be sold with a 99 year lease and rather than sell it by
tender, the plan is to advertise it at a fixed price.
"But we are keen that it should add something to the vibrancy and interest of the
canal basin. It is large detached house and could have a variety of uses but we hope we
can get a buyer who will add something to the canal basin."
The city council begins work on a tapas bar at the canal basin next week and a new
public house will be constructed within the next few weeks.
