After years of lying vacant the former Market Hall site in Colwyn Bay is being advertised on the open market.

Having held the site back in case it was needed during construction of their new offices - as either a temporary relocation site or a site compound - Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) have now decided the time is right to advertise for expressions of interest.

CCBC acquired the site and adjoining buildings along Princes Drive several years ago to redevelop under the Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) initiative.

The Council is now able to advertise the town centre site to the property market seeking expressions of interest from developers and occupiers.

Situated within a mixture of office, retail and leisure uses, the site is close to both the railway station and the redeveloped Colwyn Bay Waterfront, and could provide an opportunity for hotel, office, leisure or retail use.

Cllr Sam Rowlands, cabinet member for finance & resources, said: “Market Hall is an important site to be delivered over the coming years.

"We must engage with the open market to ensure the most sustainable opportunity is brought to the site and therefore to the town of Colwyn Bay.”

The process will involve inviting expressions of interest; informal discussions with interested parties to learn more about their proposals; and finding opportunities and issues.

A report will then be presented to Cabinet with the feedback and a strategy for taking the site forward.

Colwyn Bay mayor, Steven Williams, said he was excited to finally see some movement on the site.

Cllr Williams said: "Colwyn Bay is a town on the up and it will be massive to see what that site turns out to be. Whatever they do will create jobs and opportunities in the area, which are much needed.

"If it was up to me I'd turn it into a coach park and entice coaches and tourists to the area."