Latest news with #BondWolfe
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Update on 'attractive' town centre pub seen boarded up on Google street view
A popular Warwickshire pub that was spotted boarded up on Google street view is now on the market. The Cross Keys pub in Alcester closed down five years ago after "falling victim to Covid." Since then, the Stratford Road boozer has stood empty, with auctioneers unable to gain access to the property and question marks surrounding its future. READ MORE: Willy Wonka-style Cadbury chocolate testing facility opens - with trained tasters Auctioneers Bond Wolfe confirmed this week the Victorian pub is set to go under the hammer and has the potential for redevelopment subject to planning permission. The Cross Keys sits in the heart of the historic market town of Alcester and was previously described by customers as "amazing" and "really welcoming." Shedding some light on the situation, Gurpreet Bassi, chief executive of Bond Wolfe, said: 'Like so many pubs, the Cross Keys fell victim to Covid and has been closed for the past five years. 'This attractive early 19th century building could be returned to its former use as a popular town centre pub or, potentially, redeveloped for other uses, subject to planning consent. 'We are offering the property for sale at auction on behalf of the joint receiver, and have been unable to gain access so far. 'We understand, however, that it comprises a former bar and seating area with stores, toilets and further rooms on the first floor, and there is a yard to the rear. 'We also believe the property will be in need of renovation throughout.' The pub sits within the Alcester Conservation area, and an appraisal report describes it as an 'early 19th century, two-storey building with a single-storey Stratford Road extension at the end of the north side terrace, on the corner of Stratford Road and Gas House Lane. The report said the building appeared to have been used for the sale of alcoholic beverages since around 1861 and was known as The Crosswells Inn in 1884, becoming a fully licensed public house in 1904. It closed its doors as a result of the Covid pandemic in October 2020. Mr Bassi added: 'All interested parties should make their own enquiries with Stratford-on-Avon District Council planning department to satisfy themselves as to any use they may propose.' The Cross Keys, at 14 Stratford Road, Alcester, is listed with a guide price of £225,000+. The pub will appear with a number of lots in Bond Wolfe's livestreamed auction on Thursday July 10. Interested parties can register to bid visit
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Blackheath church could be yours for £450k as it goes under the hammer
A former church with 'potential for a wide variety of alternative uses' is going under the hammer next month. Kingdom Central Church, in Birmingham Road, Blackheath, will feature in Bond Wolfe's July auction. The vacant building, which has an "impressive spire" and is a "well-known local landmark", has a guide price of over £450,000. READ MORE: The noticeable changes that 'often' signal early dementia Ian Tudor, commercial auction director at Bond Wolfe, said: 'This is a substantial former church occupying a town centre location and considered suitable for a wide variety of alternative uses, subject to planning permission. 'The vacant freehold property extends to approximately 9,203sq ft, and with its impressive spire, the property is recognised as well-known local landmark building." He said the main entrance had a lobby either side, with stairs to the first floor leading into the main church area. There were also toilet facilities, a kitchen, offices and meeting rooms and a cleaning store. A galleried area also overlooks the main church hall, and there is another function/meeting room and office on the first floor. Mr Tudor continued: "With its spacious interior and attractive features the property is considered suitable for a continuation of religious uses or, alternatively, community use, a hospitality venue or educational use.' The church was originally built as Birmingham Road Methodist Chapel. According to records, its origins were as part of a New Connexion society, which first met at a cottage in Yew Tree Lane, Rowley Regis, in 1840. The congregation later moved to Siviters Lane, and the chapel in Birmingham Road was opened on October 23, 1906, having cost £8,000 to complete. In 1996 the Methodist churches of Blackheath amalgamated, meeting at Birmingham Road until the new Central premises were ready. The chapel was then closed until 2005, when it reopened as Kingsway International Church. It was most recently known as the Kingdom Central Church. The former church is among 196 lots appearing in Bond Wolfe's next auction which is due to start at 8.30am on Thursday, July 10. The auction will be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe's website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet. For more details and to register to bid visit email auctions@ or call or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Six bed HMO in 'highly desirable' Birmingham neighbourhood comes with suggestion to buyers
A six bedroom HMO is set to go under the hammer and comes with one suggestion for potential buyers. The property, due to go under auction imminently with Bond Wolfe, is in Kings Heath and described by agents as being in "a highly desirable location." While the property is described as a licensed HMO, Bond Wolfe suggested that it may also be suitable for conversion back into a large family home, which could be good news for parents with children looking for a spacious living space. READ MORE: 'I was frightened to use heating until I found under-claimed DWP payment' James Rossiter, senior auction valuer at Bond Wolfe, explained that competitive bidding was expected for the mid-terraced property, as it was very close to Kings Heath high street. Mr Rossiter said: 'This house stands back from the road with gardens front and back, just a stone's throw away from Kings Heath's high street on the A435 Alcester Road, a highly desirable location. 'The property has been converted into a six-bedroomed HMO that is fully compliant and licensed, with an existing lawful use and development certificate. 'Another plus-point is that the property may also be suitable for conversion back into a large family home, or could have further potential for development to the rear, subject to planning permission.' Buyers have been advised that the HMO, on Addison Road in Kings Heath, will have a £320,000+ guide price in the livestreamed auction on Thursday July 10. On the ground floor is a hall, reception room, bedroom, dining kitchen, utility room, bathroom and separate toilet. There is a landing, three bedrooms and shower room with toilet on the first floor, and another landing and two bedrooms on the second floor. The property, which is currently vacant, benefits from gas central heating and double glazing. The Kings Heath property is among scores of lots appearing in Bond Wolfe's next auction which is due to start at 8.30am on Thursday 10 July. Bond Wolfe said viewings are taking place this June, and you can find more information on its site.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New ‘wonkiest pub' in Brittan with 0-star food hygiene rating up for sale
BRITAIN'S newest 'wonkiest pub' has been put up for sale, throwing its future into doubt - just 18 months after being saved. Ian Riaar bought The Tilted Barrel in Tipton for £186,000 in November 2023, before splashing another £100,000 doing up the Grade II-listed boozer. However, the businessman has now put the 200-year-old pub back on the market - blaming difficult trading conditions for failing to turn its fortunes around. Customers are now concerned it could suffer a similar fate to The Crooked House five miles down the road, which was notoriously destroyed in August 2023. The Tilted Barrel took over the title of "Britain's wonkiest pub" when Mr Riaar bought the Victorian building three months after the suspected arson attack. He had hoped to turn his new bar into a similar tourist attraction to its counterpart, which attracted visitors from across the globe. Mr Riaar said: "I have done everything I can to make a go of the pub. "When I took it on it needed money invested to get it up and running again and I did that. "I have kept the price of a pint down to around £3 and we have a good regular trade, although we need more people to come and support us as well. But times are tough of course." The pub, which dates back to 1870 and is lopsided similar to the Crooked House due to mining subsidence, is on the market with estate agents Bond Wolfe for £299,000. Mr Riaar said he is 'open to keeping it running' and has recently addressed kitchen issues which saw the pub receive a hygiene rating of zero when inspectors visited in January. It rated the pub as needing major improvement in the three areas assessed: Hygienic food handling; Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building and Management of food safety. Mr Riaar says he is waiting for another visit and has now lost a contract with Uber Eats for people to order food from the pub. He added: "An essential part of the business was always going to be the food and we were doing okay until January when the hygiene inspectors came in and I admit there were issues with the kitchen. "But I have done the work which was identified, paid the fee for a rescore request but heard nothing back since and without that rating I can't keep the contract with Uber Eats which was providing much-needed income from outside the pub. "In the pub trade now food is everything and the business plan reflected that, but without help I am struggling to make enough money to keep going which is what I want to do as I took it over as a long-term project and have spent a lot on it." The listing on Bond Wolfe's website says: "The Tilted Barrel is a historic Grade II listed public house dating back to 1820. "Having recently been refurbished, it trades successfully as a bar and grill with excellent scope to enhance trade levels." A spokesperson for Sandwell Council said: "The business has recently (May 13) paid for a FHRS [food hygiene rating system] rescore request, which means it will receive a further unannounced inspection shortly (if still trading) and a new rating will be given based on the conditions found at that time. "The officer has three months in which to do the FHRS rescore." Words by Olivia Warburton, Ed Chatterton and Paul Jenkins
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Six-bedroom home in town Brummies love - and it's less than £200k
We do like to be beside the seaside - and for generations of Brummies that only meant one place. Weston-super-Mare is so much a part of the city's history that it became known as Birmingham on sea, with thousands making the short hop down to north Somerset and many settling there over the years. Now a six-bedroom home is going under the hammer with a guide price of less than £200,000 - offering the chance for another family to relocate. READ MORE: Probe underway as fight breaks out inside Birmingham Tesco READ MORE: Exact date garden hedge cutting is illegal as offenders face jail time and unlimited fines READ MORE: Craig Upton, marketing director at auctioneers Bond Wolfe, said: "This is something a little different, within walking distance of the seafront and close to both the town centre and the railway station. "The property needs modernisation and may be suitable for development into a perfect B&B or other use, subject to securing planning consent. "Weston-super-Mare is a hugely popular seaside destination for people from the West Midlands – often referred to as 'Birmingham-on-sea' – and offers tremendous potential to a wide range of possible bidders. "We are expecting considerable interest when it comes up for sale at our July auction.' The substantial house dating from the 1900s is thought to have been the work of architect Hans Price, who was responsible for much of the development of Weston-super-Mare. Set back from the pavement, its extensive ground floor includes a hall, reception room, kitchen, office/dining area, two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a separate bathroom, toilet and rear conservatory. Off the landing on the first floor are four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen and a separate bathroom, and there is a yard to the rear. Gas central heating and double glazing are fitted, but the property is in need of modernisation. Mr Upton said: "The property may be suitable for a variety of uses or development, subject to planning consents. "All interested parties should make their own enquiries with North Somerset Council to satisfy themselves of any use they may propose.' The double-fronted, end-terraced property at 48 Clifton Road will have a guide price of £195,000-plus in the livestreamed auction, starting at 8.30am on Thursday, July 10. For more details and to register to bid visit email auctions@ or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510.
