We welcome the fact that today we can disclose that one of the bidders believed to be in the running to redevelop Abingdon's Old Gaol is the man who transformed Oxford Prison into an award-winning hotel. We understand that Trevor Osborne is on the shortlist of bidders vying to buy and redevelop the 200-year-old building.
As we reported last week, the Vale of White Horse District Council is refusing to release the names of the final list of bidders to redevelop the former leisure centre. But it is believed that the Osborne Group wants to follow up the successful £40m Oxford Castle site scheme by redeveloping a second historic former prison.
It is expected that the company would apply the same formula in Abingdon by creating a mixed used heritage centre, that would include restaurants and a hotel.
The fact that a bidder of the calibre of Trevor Osborne is in the running to redevelop the Old Gaol, former police station and associated buildings, bodes well for the prospects of this important site.
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