County Hall could be turned into hotel and museum

A historic building that has been empty for 22 years could be converted into a new hotel as well as a museum, its new owner has said.

Ipswich County Hall is a Grade II listed site where the divorce of Wallis Simpson was granted in 1936 before her marriage to the then King Edward VIII.

Dr Sachin Karale, a local property investor, recently bought the site on St Helen's Street, which came with planning permission to convert it into 40 flats.

But he said from the moment he first stepped inside, he knew he did not want to see it turned into flats.

"The planning at the moment from the council is to make 40 flats," he said.

"My main strategy [normally] is to convert offices into flats, but this is such a beautiful building I can't see it get converted into flats.

"When I walked in first, I thought this is enormous. This should be used as function rooms, hotel rooms, and it will be beautiful.

"I would also like to make it partly into a museum, so people can come and visit and know the history of the place."

The main structure of the former County Hall dates back to the start of the 20th Century, although some parts date back to 1837, and one small section to 1786.

It originally served as a prison and law court before later becoming a council building from 1906.

It was designed by William McIntosh Brooks, who wanted its appearance to reflect the justice administered within.

The building became home to Suffolk County Council after its formation in 1974.

In 2004, the council moved into Endeavour House on Russell Road, and County Hall has remained vacant ever since.

More recently it had been put up for auction before Karale later bought the site.

Karale told the BBC he believed the project would cost up to £9m, and over the next few months he would finalise his plans before going to Ipswich Borough Council for approval.

He said he felt the building was of "national importance" and that it could encourage people to visit Ipswich, especially with the Regent Theatre nearby.

"The Regent Theatre has spent £3m recently and it has become so beautiful," he said.

"It would be really nice for those people to come and have a [hotel] room experience here [as well]."

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