The Grand Theatre in Doncaster city centre is to be put up for auction later this summer with no reserve price.
The Grade II listed building will be included in the July online sale of Sheffield-based property auctioneer Mark Jenkinson, part of the Eddisons group.
The move comes after a long-running campaign to bring the theatre back into use, with the council commissioning Page/Park Architects to undertake a feasibility study in 2021, which found that urgent repair works, with an estimated cost of more than £20m would be needed before the venue could be reopened.
The 18,675 sq ft building, on Trafford Way and next to the Frenchgate Centre, was built in 1898. It became a bingo hall in 1963 and closed in 1995, since when it has remained empty and has gradually fallen into disrepair.
James Vandenbrook, associate director at auctioneer Mark Jenkinson, said: “[The Grand Theatre] has been unused for almost 30 years and putting the property up for sale at auction with nil reserve will be the catalyst for a positive new future for this Victorian icon, which definitely has the potential to become an asset to the city centre economy once again.
“In recent years other properties within the city centre such as the Wool Market have undergone redevelopment that has given them a new identity, attracting more people into the city centre and serving as examples of regeneration projects.”
Photos courtesy of Mark Jenkinson
Send feedback to Evelina Grecenko
Follow Estates Gazette
