Historic Yorkshire building fails to sell at auction.
Sheffield’s Old Town Hall was placed up for auction this week.
The Old Town Hall in Sheffield was placed up for auction by controversial landlord Gary Ata, who paid £600,000 for the facility in 2021.
Pugh Auctions stated that the Grade II-listed home in Waingate was marketed for £498,000.
The highest bid was £495,500, which did not match the reserve price, and the property remained unsold. It means that Mr Ata is about to lose up to £100,000 on the property.
Now that the auction has ended, a private buyer may still be found, but the future of the Old Town Hall remains uncertain.
The Old Town Hall dates back to 1808. In 2018, the campaign organisation Friends of the Old Town Hall undertook a professional study and repair costings, estimating that the building would require £15 million for non-invasive interior treatments.
The actual renovation cost is certainly far more. National financing may be available for listed buildings, but the owner must apply for it.
Prior to beginning any development activity, planning authorisation is also required.
Campaigners have requested Sheffield City Council to organise a restoration plan for the structure.
Cllr Janet Ridler, the council’s heritage champion, described the auction as ‘an exciting chance for the right bidder to restore and put back into use this distinctive and important grade II listed property, which falls inside the newly-designated City Centre Conservation Area’.
She went on: “I look forward to the Old Town Hall fulfilling its potential as a cornerstone of a regenerated Castlegate.”
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