LUCRATIVE offers of up to £900,000 were received by Birmingham City Council for the building used by a historic transport museum before it decided to kick it out, it has emerged.
At the same time Birmingham’s culture chief has claimed the Aston Manor Transport Museum – or AMTM – has little value to the community.
AMTM has been given six months’ notice after negotiations broke down over disagreements on the purchase price, unpaid rent and length of lease.
The museum offered £350,000 for the Witton Lane depot, which would have covered a £250,000 independent valuation, and some compensation for rent.
But Liberal Democrat cabinet member for culture Coun Martin Mullaney, defending the decision to give the museum six months’ notice, revealed that businesses have already approached to the council wanting to set up an Asian Wedding Banquet Hall in the grade II listed building – before AMTM was given notice to quit.
He said: “The property department is regularly getting inquiries for the building from Asian wedding companies and retailers.
“On the open market, the property department believes they would easily be able to sell the lease for in excess of £900,000 – it has a sizeable car park next to it, remember.”
Coun Mullaney also stated: “We tried to offset the community value of the AMTM against the rent, but it’s value was calculated to be small.”
The volunteer-run museum attracts 10,000 visitors a year and has links with schools and local community groups.
Museum chairman Geoff Lusher said: “Anyone considering paying £900,000 for the building needs better advice.
Independent surveys valued it between £250,000 and £350,000.”
AMTM had been living rent-free at the museum since 1992, but has covered all the running and maintenance costs.
Two years ago the council told AMTM to pay a £43,000 a year commercial rent or buy the building.
A funding raising campaign launched in March this year saw £110,000 being pledged by visitors, and the museum was set to bid for trust or lottery funding to raise £350,000 to buy the building.