The Old Town Hall in Sheffield was put up for sale via auction this week
Sheffield’s Old Town Hall failed to sell at a recent auction(Image: Pugh Auctions)
A historic Yorkshire building failed to sell in an online auction.
The Old Town Hall in Sheffield was put up for auction by controversial landlord Gary Ata, who bought the building for £600,000 in 2021. The Grade II-listed property in Waingate was marketed at £498,000, Pugh Auctions said.
The highest bid was £495,500, which did not meet the reserve price and the property went unsold. It suggests Mr Ata could be about to lose as much as £100,000 on the property. A private buyer could still be found now the auction has closed, though this leaves the future of the Old Town Hall up in the air.
The Old Town Hall dates back to 1808, but has been disused since 1995. Campaign group Friends of the Old Town Hall conducted a professional survey and restoration costings in 2018, which estimated the building needed £15 million for non-invasive treatment of the interior. The true renovation cost is likely far higher. As a listed building, national funding could be provided, but this has to be applied for by the owner.
The Old Town Hall requires millions of pounds worth of renovations(Image: Pugh Auctions)
Planning permission would also be required before any development work begins.
Campaigners have asked Sheffield City Council to coordinate a plan to restore the building. Cllr Janet Ridler, a heritage champion at the council, said the auction was “an exciting opportunity for the right buyer to restore and bring back into use this unique and important grade II listed building, which sits within the newly-designated City Centre Conservation Area”.
She added: “I look forward to the Old Town Hall fulfilling its potential as a cornerstone of a regenerated Castlegate.”
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