A BID has been submitted by the council to buy Reading Gaol, it has been confirmed.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) has submitted a bid to purchase the Reading Prison site.

Speaking after a discussion in the closed session of the Policy Committee meeting on November 18, Council Leader Councillor Jason Brock said: “The disposal of the gaol site represents a once in a generation opportunity and the council’s purchase would be the only certain mechanism to secure public access to the site and secure a cultural offer for Reading.

READ ALSO: History of Reading Gaol.

“The full details of the bid must remain confidential given the commercial and competitive nature of the bidding process, however, the council’s bid would be conditional on securing significant external public funds in order to manage the risk of taking ownership of this historic property.”

The grade II listed building has been put on the market by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) who intend to sell it to the highest bidder.

Campaigners have been working to see the site turned into an arts and heritage site for the community.

This includes Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR) who handed over their proposals to the council after agreeing not to bid against them.

READ ALSO: Reading Gaol: Bid brochure handed over to council from Theatre and Arts Reading.

The bidding period for the jail ran for two months and ended on December 6.