One of Bestwood’s most recognisable buildings is up for sale and residents hope that whoever buys it will bring something positive to the area. The Grade II listed Bestwood Clocktower on Park Road is now on the market for £495,000.
The building is occupied by offices and is 3,943 sq. ft. with 11 office suites, designated parking, toilet and kitchen facilities as well as LED lighting.
Bestwood local, Ian West, 68, said he was surprised to see it up for sale. “It’s a shame it is being sold, it just had new windows put in,” said the army veteran and the current chef at The Welfare. “The building is Grade II listed so they can’t do anything to the outside as the offices used to be connected to the pit."
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The building was first listed as Grade II in July 2020, recognising the historical importance of the clocktower and offices as the town is filled with mining history. The Clocktower used to hold the general offices of the Bestwood Coal and Iron Company. The houses surrounding the offices used to be owned by the foreman of the pit when the mine was open, then they were sold to miners when he moved.
Some locals hope that the space will be turned into something for children in the area as they say there isn’t much for young people in the village. Mrs Orange, who is retired and from Park Road said: “It should be something for children, young people have nothing in the village, I hope they don’t turn it into flats.”
Linda Noseley, a Bestwood local added: “It is a shame it is being sold, it should be turned into something for the children.”
The building is nearly 150 years old as it was designed by Thomas Worthington and was built in 1876 and remained the offices of the National Coal Board until 1985.
