British Virgin Islands company to buy Totteridge Library
A property developing company registered in the British Virgin Islands is purchasing Totteridge Library for more than £1.5 million.
The BVI-domiciled Bonshire Investments’ offer to buy the library was accepted at a meeting of Barnet Council’s cabinet resources committee.
Totteridge Library situated in Totteridge Lane was closed after the council claimed it would be too costly to provide disabled access at the site. After some kind of pressure from residents, Barnet’s top councillors decided to offer the site to tender, under the proviso that a library service would be reprovided.
According to the council, there were no worthwhile offers, and last July the library was put on the open market. There were more than 60 potential purchasers, and 31 bids were received, including offers to turn the former library into a medical centre. However, it was recommended by officers to sale the library to Bonshire Investments.
Last July this BVI company received planning permission to extend a listed building in Thornhill Square, Barnsbury. Company’s second address is in Monte Carlo.
The Totteridge Library was closed in April 2004. The replacement library service will not be provided. At the time the property was put up for sale, the council members asked for officers to investigate unexplored options and costs for a replacement library, at the time of putting the site up for sale, but at that moment there was no alternative.