WATCHET Town Council’s former chamber and offices are to be sold, members decided this week.

The historic Swain Street building will go on the market at an asking price of £65,000.

Councillors made their decision after hearing that Watchet Market House Museum, which had expressed an interest in the building, had no funds available to buy and repair it.

Council chairman Cllr Peter Murphy said the it was decided in February last year to join the boat museum project and move from the old chamber into the new building.

A subsequent public consultation exercise resulted in 46 per cent opting for the old premises to be sold, 36 per cent wanting it to be used by the community and 18 per cent preferring refurbishment.

Cllr Murphy said that the last option would have to be funded by ratepayers.

Following the town’s annual meeting in the summer, a working group sought to obtain a value of the building and estimates for repairs.

They also met members of the Market House Museum who had expressed an interest, along with representatives of Watchet Conservation Society: “We have honoured all our obligations,” Cllr Murphy said.