The future use of Watford town hall remains up in the air after a proposal to turn it into a hotel proved to be unpopular.

As part of plans to transform and revitalise the wider area around the town hall, Watford Borough Council announced in 2019 it was looking into the possibility of converting the town hall into a four or five-star hotel.

At the time, the council said the hall "no longer meets requirements" for modern office use and suggested a hotel may be the "most appropriate use" for the building.

Council officers followed up on these plans and tested the hotel proposal with various developers, hotel operators, and commercial advisors.

A council spokesperson told the Observer the response to the proposal was "not positive", and said in light of the responses, hotel use within the town hall is "unlikely".

However, the council has not ruled out the possibility of including a new hotel in the wider regeneration project, now known as the 'Town Hall Quarter'.

Watford Observer:

While future use of the town hall itself remains uncertain, the council released further details this week about what changes people can expect to see in this part of Watford in the near future, potentially from 2022.

Read more: Hotel plans dropped as council gives update on transformation of area around Watford town hall

Previous story: Bold plans to reshape upper part of Watford town centre

Watford mayor Peter Taylor says the the Town Hall Quarter, formerly knows as the Cultural Hub and part of the Watford High Street (North) masterplan, will create an "attractive and distinctive new neighbourhood in this part of the town, promoting Watford’s fantastic cultural and heritage sectors and playing an important role in our commitment to fostering new businesses and a strong local economy".

Watford Observer:

Peter Taylor

If all goes to plan, at least 300 homes are expected to be built on car park land behind the town hall, while there will be investment at Watford Colosseum, which the council says "reflects its commitment to building on Watford’s outstanding reputation for culture, entertainment and live performances".

Although a multi-storey car park is unlikely to be built on the site of current Avenue car park, as mooted in 2019, due to its size and visual impact, the council is pressing ahead with plans to change the road layout in Hempstead Road near the town hall.

The council wants to pedestrianise the side of Hempstead Road closest to the library and town hall, sending all traffic round the other side of The Avenue car park.

The council is also exploring the option to relocate Watford Museum from Lower High Street to next to or near Watford Library.

Watford Observer: The Friends of Watford Museum will hear about nature conservation in Watford and the Colne valley at their next meeting.

Watford Museum in Lower High Street

On Monday, the council's Cabinet approved funding of £2.1 million which will allow the council to progress with its Town Hall Quarter project, helping to create new designs and find a development partner.

Last year the council tested this proposal with various developers, hotel operators and commercial advisors, and the response was not positive. We are taking out to tender the wider regeneration of the Town Hall quarter, and developers will be able to propose potential future uses for that area. Given the response last year we think hotel use within the Town Hall would be unlikely, but we are not ruling out the inclusion of a hotel within the wider regeneration project.