Museum sale set to go ahead this week

Jun 20 2012 by Shona Mitchell, East Kilbride News

THE “sold” signs are set to go up at the town’s landmark Hunter House Museum.

Councillors are today (Wednesday) expected to give the green light to the sale of the currently unused building to Calderwood Baptist Church for £142,000 plus VAT.

It comes after months of negotiations following South Lanarkshire Council’s decision to transfer ownership of the museum to the church in November of last year.

Officials received four bids for the listed building, which was the birthplace of pioneering medics John and William Hunter. Two were put forward for detailed consideration by councillors.

The church, which sits on adjacent land to the museum, was chosen as preferred bidder over East Kilbride Development Trust.

A valuation report commissioned in December and carried out by the District Valuer put the value of the building at £190,000 but advised the council to be flexible because of the specialist nature of the property and the current market conditions.

The church initially proposed a discount of £70,000 to reflect external works required on the property as well as damp and wet rot treatment.

Following negotiations, however, the selling price of £142,000 was agreed.

The Rev John MacKinnon said this week they were now looking forward to sale going through and progressing their plans for the landmark museum which will be transformed into a church-based community resource.

In addition to providing the church with much-needed space, the aim is to create a community hub, low-rent flexible space, counselling rooms and a permanent office for the NU U youth project that works on a regular basis young people.

The church has always given the assurance they would preserve the rich heritage of the Hunter Brothers.