A derelict pub featuring the UK’s largest piece of authenticated graffiti by artist Banksy has sold for almost £35,000 above its quoting price.
The Grade II-listed former Whitehouse pub on Berry Street, Liverpool, was offered for sale at Sutton Kersh Binstock’s 12 February auction.
The property was guided at £70,000-£80,000, but sold for £114,000 after a heated bidding war broke out in the room.
Kirkby-based business partners Billy Palmer and Sina Moradian won the battle but said they were not attracted by the building’s artwork. They plan to redevelop it as an off-licence.
The pair said: “We will probably keep the artwork, but we can’t guarantee it. The site is just what we wanted, but we are not fans of Banksy.”
Auctioneer Andrew Binstock said: “I think that the Banksy graffiti added to the pub’s value enormously. The land itself is probably worth about £50,000.”
The artwork of a rat and machine-gun appeared on the wall of the pub six years ago.
