From Post Offices to Pubs: Cornwall’s Most Intriguing Auction Lots
A former post office, a clifftop pub, two Methodist chapels and a nightclub are among a remarkable collection of Cornish properties going under the hammer next month, as Clive Emson Auctioneers prepares for its May online auction, concluding on 7th May.
With lots spanning from St Austell to The Lizard and Launceston to Looe, there is something to catch the eye of developers, investors and curious buyers alike. Here is a look at what is up for grabs.
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St Austell’s Former Post Office Could Become 32 Flats
One of the headline lots is the former post office at 10-12 High Cross Street, St Austell, a substantial three-storey building with a freehold guide price of £375,000 plus. It already has planning permission for 32 flats and sits on approximately 0.22 hectares (0.54 acres).
Auction Appraiser James Lofthouse said: “This is a substantial town centre development opportunity. Well known as a former post office, the property comes to auction with the benefit of planning permission for 32 apartments. It is expected to appeal to developers and local builders seeking a consented project although there may also be interest from other parties with alternative uses in mind, subject to the necessary consents.”
The property is being auctioned in arrangement with May Whetter and Grose, with Lambert Smith Hampton as joint agent.
Also in St Austell, a town centre building at The General Wolfe, 3-5 Bodmin Road and 2-4 Truro Road, arranged as 13 flats with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, carries a freehold guide of £150,000 plus. James said it “requires significant improvement” but “offers potential for long term rental income and capital growth in a favoured town centre location.” May Whetter and Grose is joint agent.
Rounding out the St Austell lots, town centre industrial units at Globe Yard have a freehold guide of £75,000 plus, with a range of buildings and off-road parking. May Whetter and Grose is again joint agent.
A Chapel, a Townhouse and a Cottage Near Penzance
In the village of Drift, near Penzance, a former Methodist chapel in Lower Drift, Buryas Bridge, goes to auction with a freehold guide of £95,000 plus. The building includes an entrance vestibule, a worship hall with seating, a former Sunday school or meeting room and a small gravelled area outside.
Senior Auction Appraiser Katie Semmens said: “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a former Methodist Church, which comes to auction with the benefit of a positive pre-planning application for one residential dwelling. It is just off the A30 in the pleasant hamlet of Drift with the market town of Penzance about two miles distant with an array of amenities.” You can watch a video of the property here.
Also in Penzance, a freehold commercial property on the pedestrianised Causewayhead has a guide of £105,000 plus and planning permission for part commercial use of the ground floor with four residential flats to the rear and upper floors, comprising three one-bedroom flats and a two-bedroom flat. Katie described it as “deceptively spacious” and well situated among a “good range of retail amenities.”
Further afield, a detached three-bedroom house called Gwythvose in Jubilee Place, Pendeen, has a freehold guide of £215,000 plus. It comes with a conservatory, two drives, a garage and an attached one-bedroom annexe currently let at £5,400 per annum. Watch the video here.
In St Just, a two-bedroom terraced house at 15 Princess Street has a freehold guide of £100,000 plus, with an enclosed courtyard and off-road parking. Watch the video here. Andrew Exelby Estate Agents is joint agent on the Penzance area lots.
Liskeard Nightclub Looking for a New Life
In Liskeard, the former café and nightclub Moghhe on West Street comes to auction with a freehold guide of £95,000 plus. The property has a total floor area of 731 sq m, with pedestrian access from West Street and separate vehicle access from The Parade.
James described it as “an iconic and commanding commercial premises located in the heart of the market town of Liskeard,” adding that it “offers great versatility to suit many different uses, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.” Watch the video here.
Also in the area, land in Shutta Lane, Shutta Road, Looe, measuring about 0.04 hectares (0.09 acres), has a freehold guide of £5,000 to £7,000. The elevated parcel is a short walk from the town centre and harbour.
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Pub and Souvenir Shop on The Lizard Up for Grabs
Perhaps one of the most characterful lots in the auction is Potters Bar at Kuggar, Ruan Minor, close to Kennack Sands near Helston. The property, which includes a freehouse pub with approximately 50 covers, a café, outside seating, a detached souvenir shop, three-bedroom owner’s accommodation, gardens and parking, has a freehold guide of £390,000 plus.
Katie said: “Potters Bar is a well known property on the renowned Lizard Peninsula with the popular Kennack Sands close by, along with numerous holiday parks. It offers great versatility and currently provides a freehouse public house with approximately 50 covers, café, outside seating area, detached souvenir shop, three-bedroom owner’s accommodation plus gardens and parking. The property would now benefit from a course of updating throughout, or some may envisage complete re-development of the site, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”
Also near Helston, land to the rear of Rosemullion at Cross Common has a freehold guide of £75,000 plus. Extending to about 0.09 hectares (0.22 acres), it has planning consent for two detached houses, a four-bedroom and a three-bedroom, each with garages, parking and gardens. Redgrave Commercial is joint agent.
Church Conversion Near Redruth and Sea Views in Newquay
Carnkie Methodist Church in the village of Carnkie, near Redruth, goes to auction with a freehold guide of £85,000 plus. It comes with planning permission for conversion into three residential dwellings with allocated parking and communal gardens.
Katie said the building “exudes charm and character” despite being “currently run-down,” and noted that some buyers might instead envisage “one large detached residence, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.” The property is being auctioned jointly with MAP Estate Agents. Watch the video here.
Cornwall Council has instructed the sale of two small parcels of land in the Redruth area. One, next to 10 Forth Scol between Pool and Redruth, has a freehold guide of £500 plus and measures about 0.009 hectares (0.02 acres). The other, next to 18 Forth An Ryn on the outskirts of Redruth, measures about 0.005 hectares (0.01 acres) and also has a guide of £500 plus.
On a different note entirely, a second-floor flat at 9 Cliff Edge, Narrowcliff, Newquay, offers two bedrooms, underground parking and sea views over Tolcarne Beach. With a leasehold guide of £235,000 plus, it is currently let at £18,600 per annum and is sold with the remainder of a 999-year lease from 2022. Katie called it “a superb opportunity for investors seeking a ready-made and fully furnished addition to their portfolio.”
Farmhouse Cottage, a Launceston Retreat and a Saltash Parking Space
Trenant Farm Cottage on the edge of Menheniot is a two-bedroom detached farmhouse cottage with off-road parking, gardens and three sheds, sitting on about 0.25 hectares (0.61 acres). Its freehold guide is £125,000 plus.
James said it is expected to appeal to those “looking for a character property for refurbishment in a semi-rural location,” while replacement of the existing dwelling may also appeal to some, subject to the necessary consents.
In Lezant, Launceston, a three-bedroom detached cottage at Penscombe Cross has a freehold guide of £165,000 plus, with parking, gardens and numerous outbuildings and sheds. It is being auctioned in arrangement with View Property. Watch the video here.
Finally, perhaps the most unusual lot of all: a private car parking space and its roadway in Berry Park, Saltash, instructed by Cornwall Council, with a nil guide price.
Two parcels of land instructed by Cornwall Council also feature elsewhere in the auction: land at Churchfield Place, St Blazey, Par (freehold guide: nil, measuring 0.02 acres) and land at Windmill, Fowey (freehold guide: £1,000 plus, measuring about 0.02 hectares / 0.05 acres).
The Clive Emson Auctioneers May online auction concludes on 7th May. Full details on all lots can be found at cliveemson.co.uk.
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