A NUMBER of interested buyers have made offers for Worcester’s landmark YMCA hostel which went up for sale earlier this year.

The Grade II-listed building in Henwick Road, St John’s, went on the market for an asking price of £1,450,000, and has attracted interest from around eight parties.

Andy Redfearn, of the YMCA, said “a couple” of offers had been made on the prominent Victorian site, which has been owned by the charity since 1957.

The building will remain up for sale for the next few weeks, before a shortlist of the preferred bidders is drawn up for the YMCA board to consider.

YMCA Worcestershire says it plans to lease the property back temporarily once it has been sold, meaning none of the 60 residents will be made homeless while it searches for new premises in the city.

Mr Redfearn said: “We are pleased with the level of interest. We are keeping staff and residents informed. We are pleased with the process so far and the main effort has been the discussions internally and with the local authority over what the new YMCA offer will look like.”

The charity is currently forming a brief for what the new YMCA premises will offer and where it will be. It is understood the 15 members of staff who currently work at the Henwick Road site will not lose their jobs, but will be relocated following the sale.

Mr Redfearn said: “We are working up our own brief which is what is the new YMCA is going to look like and what services are we going to deliver? Hopefully, that initial brief will be completed before Christmas. Whatever move we make, this is a move for the long term, we are keen to get it right.”

The decision to sell was made earlier this year, however it is understood discussions about a potential sale have been ongoing for a couple of years.

Over the years, the building has acted as a lifeline to the city’s homeless community, providing accomodation and support services to countless people.