Clive Emson sold land and property worth £17m at its May sale, with an 85% success rate from a catalogue of 137 lots, writes David Callaghan.
This follows a March auction, which was the most successful in the firm’s 30-year history, with £22m raised in total.
Managing director James Emson said: “We have continued our strong start to the year with another impressive round of regional auctions and packed salerooms across the country. The demand for commercial properties continues apace, and we are also seeing a growing trend for mixed-use buildings as investments.”
A former rifle range in Honiton, Devon, sold for £154,000, treble its guide price. The sizeable site also included a canteen, parade hall, classrooms, squadron office and briefing room, and was purchased by a local buyer.
A bidding war saw a 1.6-acre plot of land near Wokingham, Berkshire, sell for more than twice the guide price. The site, with a let communications mast bringing in revenue of £5,000 pa, sold for £195,000 – £115,000 above the guide price.
A converted former windmill near Norwich sold for £100,000. Clippesby Windmill, dating from before 1814, includes a balcony on its top floor.
A former business centre in Eastbourne’s mixed residential and commercial quarter, Little Chelsea, with planning approval for six homes, sold for £570,000 with a £360,000 upper guide.
Investor interest saw the freehold of the Royal Mail pub in Lydd, Kent (pictured), which has commercial use or redevelopment potential, go under the hammer for £230,000.
