Sedgley pub The Courthouse up for auction
A Grade-II listed pub in the Black Country that was once a Courthouse dating back to the early 19th century has gone up for sale.
The Courthouse on Gospel End Street, Sedgley which closed over a year ago, has a guide price of £150,000.
The two-storey building contains a historic stone detached building, and was used as a public house and restaurant which was open for many years.
Ward councillor Michael Evans it had always been 'a nice old pub' but hopes it can be taken over, rather than 'staying empty'.
He said: "The pub closed down around a year and a half ago.
"It was originally bought by an undertakers which I was pleased about but renovation costs concerned them and now it's up for auction.
"It's a bit of a shame because I thought the undertakers would be brilliants - it's a guaranteed trade for Sedgley.
"I'm assuming that if plans don't go ahead at the auction then the original plans for an undertakers may go ahead again."
He added: "It was always a nice old pub - the type of pub we all like in Sedgley."
The pub, on Gospel End Street, is located near other pubs including The Swan, The Clifton and The White Horse.
Ian Tudor, director and head of commercial auctions at SDL Bigwood, said: "The most important thing about the property is the history of the building.
"It was the old courthouse for Sedgley and when you go down into the cellar you can see where they would've held people overnight.
"The big heavy doors are long gone but you can still see what would've been where.
He added: "It has a potential to have lots of different uses such as a retail unit on the ground and perhaps an office or living space on the first floor.
"It'll be an interesting project for someone."
On the first floor are former private living quarters containing five rooms, a former kitchen, bathroom and an office.
Outside there is a small terraced area and car parking.
The Courthouse will appear in the auction on May 4 at Aston Villa football club in Birmingham.
