Former Church Street shop to be sold off by Preston City Council

Former Bargain’s Galore store on Church Street

A council owned building in Church Street is due to be sold off – but no longer by auction.

What used to be Bargain’s Galore is to be put on the market at £100,000.

It had been due to go to auction but the city council has been approached by a nearby business with an interest in buying the site.

The building, next to the Bear’s Paw pub, has been empty since April 2010.

Cash-strapped Preston City Council say they don’t have the money to renovate the building, which auctioneers say is needed to give it a chance of being sold on the open market.

Councillors are to be asked to approve the change in the method of sale, and see a 125 year lease on the building which includes a clause requiring the new occupants to commence refurbishment within 12 months.

It is not known at this stage who the buyer is, apart from being a ‘nearby owner’.

The city council’s cabinet is to meet on Wednesday 20 April to discuss the plans.

What would you like to see happen with the building? Let us know your views in the comments below