Bids are being invited to take over the daily running of a town’s “most iconic building”.

Maidstone council is looking for someone to give a new lease of life to the 14th-century Archbishop’s Palace in the centre of town.

Suggested uses include a children’s nursery, wine bar, tea-room, boutique hotel, museum or wedding and events venue.

Those interested are promised a lease on “flexible terms” for the property described as “in a scenic location next to the River Medway” and close to public transport connections.

An advert has appeared online in recent days alongside a fast-moving promotional video on YouTube produced by the council to promote the venue.

The Grade I listed property, which once belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury, was famously used to incarcerate John Ball, one of the leaders of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381.

It is being marketed through EIA Real Estate, which describes it as the town’s “most iconic building”.

It is available, they say, as a whole or in three distinct parts.

One is the gatehouse, close to Mill Road, and was most recently used as offices, which it suggests could be used for wedding ceremonies.

Then there is the terrace with river view and the old Gaol, which the firm suggests would make an ideal wine bar, but which comes with the warning that the building is in poor condition.

Finally, there is the palace itself, which dates from 1348. It has two large rooms seating 100 and 60 respectively, and countless other rooms.

The marketing brochure promises the council will contribute towards putting the property back into lettable condition and will help with any grant applications, where appropriate.

It said the help could include the upgrade of services, fire safety requirements, improved kitchen facilities and an improved reception area and some external landscaping.

Leases are likely to be on internal repairing terms, with the council maintaining the exterior and structure of the property and recovering the cost through a service charge. No detail of what that charge might be is given.

The agents also warn that the council requires that some community access is maintained to both the outdoor areas and the palace itself.

The Archbishop’s Palace has a rateable value of £88,500, whereas The Old Gatehouse’s is £6,100.

To view the full details, click here.

Maidstone council had previously hoped to let the building to Richard Balfour-Lynn, co-founder of the Hush Heath winery, for its conversion into a boutique hotel and wine education centre.

But after 16 months of developing the project, the company withdrew, saying the scheme was proving too expensive.

The building was most recently used by Kent County Council as a wedding registry office and coroner’s court.