Once occupied by WH Smith and other retailers, the vacant property in Commercial Street was put on the market and subsequently bought by the council earlier this year using government regeneration funding.
A report going to cabinet next week recommends the building is pulled down.
Councillor James Clarke, cabinet member for regeneration and business growth, said; “It is very clear that one of the priorities for residents is to tackle the issue of empty properties in the city centre and this was highlighted in the place making plan.
“Many properties in the city centre are privately owned but a rare opportunity came up to buy this building which has been empty for a long time.
“Although demolition will, of course, reduce the number of vacant units in the city centre, this was not the most important consideration.
“This large, unattractive building has no architectural merit and is a blight on Commercial Street. Making it safe and suitable for further retail, hospitality or leisure use would be extremely expensive and, even if that was possible, it is unlikely that appropriate businesses would want to take it on.
“I hope my cabinet colleagues will support the proposal as I believe that demolition, and the creation of a safe and attractive public space, is absolutely the right option for the site. Officers are already considering proposals that will ensure it becomes a real asset to the city centre.”
Although demolition was the preferred option, earlier this year cabinet agreed that a report should be prepared to consider all possibilities to ensure it was the best way forward.
That report is now going to the next meeting which recommends demolition and reinstatement of the land for use as public realm.
If approved, work will take place to identify and secure funding to create an open space and active travel route.
