The economic crisis has hit Winchester civic chiefs' efforts to rent out some of its properties.

One scheme affected in recent months has been the Goods Shed on Barfield Close which the city council is hoping to let.

Council leader Martin Tod told the scrutiny committee: "The business case got hit by the financial chaos of Trussonomics. It's hard to get a business case out of the way with inflation and interest rates and economic mayhem.

"The goods shed redevelopment is on hold. A planning application is underway and a scheme will come forward when the economic circumstances are more favourable."

Hampshire Chronicle: The goods shed on Barfield Close

A short-term 'meanwhile' use is in the pipeline, said Cllr Tod. "We don't want to leave it as a rubble-strewn former marshalling yard."

Cllr Caroline Horriill, leader of the Conservative group, asked how many empty properties the council currently has. Cllr Tod there are 14 unlet out of 370 properties.

The total estimated rental income of vacant property is £174,000 a year. But vacant pacant Property under offer is valued at £129,00 pa. Rental value of vacant property still to let is £45,000 pa (equating to 1 per cent of total rental income).

Among the empty units is the Cornerhouse, former pub on North Walls, which is due to be redeveloped into flats. The former Friarsgate GP surgery is due for demolition soon.

Cllr Tod said it was currently expensive to bring empty buildings up to a lettable standard because of soaring costs and high inflation.

But there are some sites which are close to being let. The former Registry Office, previously the South Western pub on Station Approach, empty for several years, is under offer, revealed Cllr Tod.

Another vacant property, the meeting heard, is 59 Colebrook Street next to the Pitcher and Piano.