A sizable city centre building could be up for grabs after the council moves its appointments area next week.

Face-to-face appointments with Gloucester City Council will move from The Gateway in Westgate Street 500m down the road to Eastgate Shopping Centre from Monday (July 15).

The council is ditching its existing appointments area in a bid to reduce annual running costs by around £80,000.

And it means the sizable city centre building could be up for grabs.

Until now, residents could visit The Gateway at 92-94 Westgate Street to arrange to see staff if their query could not be solved over the phone or by email.

The council decided to downsize after a new appointment system brought in to reduce waiting times post-Covid saw demand for face-to-face appointments drop sharply.

Only 81 out of a possible 600 face-to-face appointments have been booked since May 2023, and only 68 were attended. The majority of residents who contact the council say they prefer to communicate over the phone, online or by email.

The change has also improved customer confidentiality and reduced the number of reports of abuse towards staff.

The new appointment area will offer the same service as The Gateway and be located on the first floor of the shopping centre, accessed by the stairs and lift immediately inside the Eastgate Street entrance.

The council said the move will make it easier for residents to attend appointments.

Cllr Rebecca Trimnell, cabinet member responsible for community engagement, said: "This move will help the council save money that can be better spent elsewhere and make it easier for our residents to get to their appointments.

"We know our customers prefer to contact us over the phone or by email, but face-to-face appointments are always available at this new facility if they're needed."

The council did not respond to Punchline's request for information about what it plans to do with The Gateway space.

But council documents show it is considering selling off the building which neighbours Jane's Pantry and Dick Whittington's pub and is around 200ft from Shire Hall.

The decision has been earmarked for discussion in September.

It would not be the first city council building sold off since the pandemic.

In October leaders agreed to sell Herbert, Kimberley and Philpott warehouses  and in November cabinet agreed to sell Barbican House to Gloucestershire Academy of Music.