Old school and local history centre in Black Country features in Bond Wolfe’s next auction

A former local history centre in the Black Country that started life as a school nearly 120 years ago is featuring in Bond Wolfe’s next auction on Thursday 19 May.

The Victorian-style premises, which were built in 1904 and originally housed North Walsall Junior and Infants School, will appear in the auction with a guide price* of £290,000+.

The property, which includes a caretaker’s house and parking, is set in around 2,675 sq m in the middle of a predominantly residential area on Essex Street in Bloxwich, Walsall.

The local history centre opened on the site in 1986 but has since moved to the central library in the town centre.

The building was considered for listed status earlier this year, but members of Walsall Council’s planning committee decided this could make it a liability and might hamper future development prospects.

Ron Darlington, a consultant director at Bond Wolfe, said: “This is an unusual but fascinating lot that could be suitable for various uses including redevelopment, subject to obtaining the appropriate planning permission.

“There are a multiple collection of rooms and spaces including the entrance lobby, staff office, reception room, kitchen, toilets, office, stores with racking, display room and classroom.

“There’s also a large storehouse with three annexes and extensive mobile shelving, an additional office and store with racking and a server room.

“There is plenty of parking space outside, plus access to a plant room and what was the caretaker’s house.”

The former local history centre and school is among scores of Black Country lots that will appear in Bond Wolfe’s next auction which starts at 9am on Thursday 19 May. The auction will be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe’s website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet only.

For more details and to register to bid visit www.bondwolfe.com/property-auctions-west-midlands/, or email [email protected], or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510.

Anyone with properties to sell in a future auction can arrange a free appraisal by calling the auction team or visiting www.bondwolfe.com/free-property-appraisal/.