The auction of Brookfield Hall in Nantwich has been delayed until the end of July to see if a campaign group can save it as a community asset, Cheshire East has confirmed.
The council wanted to sell the hall at auction on June 22-23 with a price tag of £150,000.
But campaigners led by Sam James have been fighting over the last few weeks to save the hall, which used to host the Nantwich Town Council meetings.
She has obtained hundreds of signatures to back a plan to classify the hall as an “asset of community value” (ACV) which will afford it greater protection from being demolished for housing.
Cllr Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for planning, housing and regeneration, said: “A lease between Cheshire East Council and Nantwich Town Council relating to Brookfield Hall ended on 21 April.
“We recognise that there is local interest in bringing this building back into community use, however, the building has been vacated and is not suitable for long-term, sustainable occupation without substantial investment.
“Significant and costly repairs would be required to bring it up to standard for future use and to comply with government legislation.
“After careful consideration, the council has concluded that both the repair costs and ongoing running costs, particularly energy, would be prohibitively expensive for potential self-funded community or similar groups.
“The council is therefore seeking to dispose of the property with an auction scheduled for Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 July, which is a deferral from the original intended dates of 22 and 23 June.
“This will enable the community group to fully understand costs and liabilities, and to explore what funding might be available.”
Sam James, on her campaign group page, said: “The auction has been paused until the end of July 2026.
“This is a major step forward for the campaign. The community is now developing a robust, credible, community-led alternative use for the space.
“We would like to thank the following local councillors for engaging constructively with the campaign and supporting discussions with Cheshire East Council officers, which helped secure the current pause in the auction process.
“We are also grateful to Nantwich Town Council and to Connor Naismith MP for their formal support, writing to Cheshire East Council to back the call for a pause and to explore community options for Brookfield Hall.”
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