Plans to breathe new life into one of Hitchin's historic buildings have taken another step forward, with organisations being invited to bid to take over Charnwood House for community use.

North Herts Council has launched a renewed marketing exercise for the Grade II listed former Hitchin Museum in Paynes Park, next to Hitchin Library.

The building is being offered on a long lease to an organisation – or potentially a partnership of organisations – capable of turning it into a sustainable community asset.

The move represents the latest attempt to secure a long-term future for Charnwood House, which has been empty since Hitchin Museum relocated.

As Hitchin Nub News previously reported, the building was originally donated to the council by a local family for community use and subsequently became Hitchin Museum.

Its future has generated considerable interest among residents, with previous consultations finding an "overwhelming message" that people wanted to see a community hub created there.

Renovation work to remove asbestos began in 2022, while the council previously revealed that managing the empty premises was costing around £30,000 a year.

An earlier attempt to find an operator was unsuccessful, with external agents brought in during 2023 but "no suitable proposals" emerging.

However, in 2024 Councillor Tamsin Thomas told Hitchin Nub News that work had been completed to make the property wind and watertight and that discussions were taking place with a local organisation over its potential use.

Now the council has gone back to the market in search of an organisation with the "vision and expertise" to transform Charnwood House.

North Herts Council says it has allocated capital funding towards refurbishment, although whoever takes on the building will also be expected to secure additional funding for the remaining work required to bring it back into use.

Cllr Tamsin Thomas, North Herts Council's Executive Member for Enterprise, said: "Charnwood House is an important part of Hitchin's history and we know many people care deeply about its future. We're excited to be taking this next step by inviting proposals from organisations that can bring this much-loved building back into community use.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious organisation, or partnership, to create something that will benefit local people for generations to come.

"The Council has allocated capital funding to support the successful proposal, and we're looking forward to seeing imaginative, sustainable plans that celebrate the building's heritage while giving it a new lease of life."

When Nub News previously asked Hitchin residents what they would like to see at Charnwood House, suggestions ranged from meeting and club rooms to daytime and evening classes, exhibitions and an arts centre.

Other ideas included small-scale spaces for music, poetry, dance and readings, as well as lectures, Dungeons & Dragons groups and somewhere to have tea and cake.

BTG Eddisons has been appointed to market the property on behalf of the council.

Hannah Niven, Associate - Head of Agency North Herts and Luton, said: "We're delighted to be instructed on behalf of North Herts Council to find a new community user for what is a historic and important building within the heart of Hitchin town centre.

"There's already a good deal of interest in Charnwood House, and we're looking forward to working with the Council to find the right long-term fit for the building and the town."

Community organisations interested in taking on Charnwood House can find further information and details of how to apply through BTG Eddisons' Charnwood House listing⁠.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Read Hitchin Nub News' previous coverage of the future of Charnwood House here⁠.