Old Robertsbridge church hall sparks bidding war

The old United Reformed Church hall was among 170 lots being sold by auctioneers Clive Emson.

The building on High Street easily beat its freehold guide price when it sold for £170,000.

Director and senior auction valuer Sam Kinloch said: “Believed to have been built in 1881, this is a well-known property in the village.

“It includes a church hall, vestry and kitchen as well as an attractive frontage.

“As such it offers the new owner considerable potential for change of use or possible conversion into residential accommodation, subject to all necessary consents being obtained.”

Sam added that demand is always high for former places of worship as they provide a ‘versatile space’ for possible conversion to homes.

Amenity land near Battle Abbey also beat its freehold guide to sell for £19,000.

The 0.07-acre site on the north side of Park Lane is near to the entrance of the abbey car park and the high street.

Clive Emson Auctioneers holds eight rounds of auctions at five locations from Essex to Cornwall on consecutive days every six weeks, this time with a total of 170 lots.

The independent, family-run firm had a flying start to year with the best-ever February auctions offering 159 lots across the south of England with a success rate of more than 86 per cent, raising more than £20m for its clients.

The third of Clive Emson’s regional Sussex and Surrey auctions in 2016 is being staged at the Brighton Metropole at 11am on Wednesday, May 4.

Entries close on Monday, April 4.

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