THE building that once housed Andover’s job centre has been bought.

Jobcentre Plus moved to Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) Beech Hurst offices in March last year, and since then Crown Buildings, in London Street, has remained empty.

But property agents Myddelton and Major has announced that the 30,000 sq ft office has been sold subject to contract.

However, the agent says that “it is unlikely to be used for office premises,” though no further details have been revealed.

Last year an application was lodged with TVBC to convert the town centre building into flats and shops.

The plan stated that conversion would have provided 46 apartments, 35 one-bedroom flats and 11 two-bedroom, with no external changes proposed.

It was also set out the existing vehicle parking at the site would remain for residential use.

However the planning application was withdrawn in August.

The Jobcentre Plus site move came as part of a national decision made by the Department of Work and Pensions to reform the service’s offices and benefit centres.