Education centre price is slashed by £350,000

A former adult education centre in South Staffordshire being touted as a possible hotel or wedding venue has had its price tag slashed by £350,000 in a bid to attract a buyer.

Pendrell Hall in Codsall Wood was put on the market for £2 million last year by Savills but has failed to sell. Bosses today said there had been "a lot of interest" but that they were now "trying a new price" of £1,650,000.

The building, which dates back to 1870, closed in August 2010 after Staffordshire County Council said it could not justify running it in the tough economic climate.

Tina Burdett, from Savills based in Telford, said: "We have reduced the price. We have had a number of parties interested for commercial purposes.

"There has been a lot of interest but nothing has come to fruition yet.

"We are trying a new price to gain new interest. It was either going to sell really quickly or hang around for a while."

She admitted potential buyers had been looking at Pendrell Hall for a number of uses, including a hotel or training centre.

Pendrell Hall was put on the market last July. There were 10 job losses when it closed as an adult education centre.

The main hall, which stands in 6.7 acres of land is also Grade II listed, features offices, function rooms and residential accommodation.

There are also several outbuildings including Orchard House, a large function room and purpose-built residential accommodation.

Pendrell Hall was built as Pendryl Hall for Edward Viles, a writer and publisher of Victorian short stories and serials.

In 1909, the hall was bought by Frank Gaskell, the third son of the industrialist and art collector Holbrook Gaskell.

The Gaskell family sold the building to the county council in 1955.