The Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) is to put its Grade II listed home of the last 50 years on the market prior to the organisation’s merger with the National Association for Sports Development (NASD).

ILAM House, known as The Grotto, is set in eight acres of parkland on the River Thames below the Goring Gap and has been occupied by ILAM and its predecessor since 1953.

“In order to modernise and develop the organisation, ILAM trustees have taken the decision to maximise its assets by selling the property,” said the organisation’s interim chief executive, Iain Hook.

"In September, it is proposed that ILAM and NASD will merge to form a new body, the Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure (ISPAL). I know that many ILAM members have happy memories of training courses and meetings at The Grotto, but we are facing a new dawn for our industry and the needs of our members are changing.

“With the creation of ISPAL, we are planning a dynamic, modern organisation that will meet the aspirations of its members and raise the profile of sport, parks and leisure.”

ILAM is currently seeking a new base in either Oxfordshire or Berkshire, which will provide a temporary home for ILAM and then become the headquarters of ISPAL.

The sale of The Grotto is being handled by Savills. For more details contact Liz Terry on +44 (0)1462 431385