The original Corn Street building continued to serve as a magistrates court until 1996, but the building has remained empty and unused ever since - although the City Council has ensured continuing maintenance and care.

The heritage team at the Bristol office of property consultant King Sturge has now launched a marketing programme to find a suitable new role and tenant for the historic building. 'This has to be one of the most fascinating Bristol buildings that we have ever handled,' said Karen Saunders at King Sturge. 'But it also represents a unique challenge to find the right tenant with the right plans to give a new role to so special a property.'

In simple commercial-property terms, the building is being advertised as offering almost 20,000 sf of city-centre space, with potential for a wide range of uses: from offices to retail, and from catering to artistic exhibitions. The agent admits that, as a Grade II listed building, its historical features make the Old Council House a unique property opportunity; but they also constrain its market potential.