The former Methodist church on Lowther Street in Whitehaven town centre is to go under the hammer next week with a £60,000 – £70,000 guide price. The imposing Grade II listed Gothic building, which has been empty and disused for almost three decades, has planning consent for conversion to a single, luxury home.
It will feature among 177 other properties and plots of land in the next online live-streamed auction to be held by SDL Property Auctions, part of Eddisons, on 10 December.
Built for an 800-strong congregation and opened in 1878, the Wesleyan church served the Whitehaven community until dwindling numbers and the need for expensive repairs led to its closure in 1996.
Andrew Parker, auctioneer and partner at SDL Property Auctions, said: “This landmark historic church has planning permission from Cumberland Council for conversion into a single luxury dwelling and we believe it could also be suitable for a variety of alternative uses.
“A residential scheme, or conversion of the church to a bar, restaurant, retail, or community uses might be viable. Redevelopment as a dance or fitness studio could also work well, subject to a buyer gaining the appropriate consents.”
He added: “It is something of a landmark building, with many interesting Gothic architectural features, and it would be great to see it become an asset to Whitehaven once again.”
For more information about the former the former church, or to register to bid remotely online, on the phone or by proxy, go to the SDL Property Auctions website. The auction will be live streamed online on 10 December, with bidder registration closing on 9 December.
