18 November 2013
Last updated at 08:28 GMT

The Guildhall was finished in the French renaissance style

A grade II-listed building owned by Nottingham City Council is expected to be turned in to a 100-bedroom hotel.

The Guildhall, which was built in 1888 to provide municipal offices and courts, was used until 2010 when the authority left.

Graham Chapman, council deputy leader, said the redevelopment would provide the city with a four-star hotel and “preserve” the landmark.

Developer Sanguine Hospitality said it would retain the building’s grandeur.

Luxury accommodation

Mr Chapman said: “Since vacating The Guildhall for Loxley House three years ago, we have known it would make an excellent opportunity as a quality hotel, for the right company.

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The Guildhall’s history

• The Guildhall was opened on 27 September 1888
• About two million bricks were used in its construction and it was clad with Darley Dale stone
• It was finished in the French Renaissance style with two statuettes of Justice and Equity at its front
• The courts were used for TV and film, including Freddie Starr sketches, Crossroads and the Shane Meadows film TwentyFourSeven

“We need four star-plus hotel accommodation in the city centre and we want to preserve what is an historic landmark. This scheme will do both.”

The Guildhall is on the same site as Nottingham’s Central police and fire stations, which have both been put up for sale.

Mr Chapman said a hotel should make the buildings more appealing to potential developers.

There had been fears the 1940 buildings would be demolished.

The council said it has entered into an exclusivity agreement with the developer while discussions take place with English Heritage.

The Guildhall replaced the Town Hall, on Weekday Cross, Nottingham, which was demolished in 1894 after it was bought by the Great Central Railway.