Row of shops in Bearwood to go up for auction

The parade of 21 shops would fetch new owners £259,270 a year from rent paid by tenants, according to auctioneers Allsop.

The company said the development would give new owners ‘numerous opportunities to add value through active management’.

Ward councillors have welcomed the upcoming sale of the site on Bearwood Road, Bearwood, which they described as ‘run down’.

The property is spread across three floors with commercial, office and residential space.

Among the businesses that operate there are Bank of Scotland, Factory Shop Ltd, Papa John’s and Boots.

There is an opportunity to create new homes as apartments within the site, the auctioneers said.

Abbey ward councillor Ann Jaron hopes new owners could be attracted to pump money into the site.

She said: “These shops are located at the gateway to Sandwell. These are a row of shops which were owned by a family property company that went into liquidation. The properties are rundown. If they are being sold, hopefully that means someone wants to invest in them.

“There is retail space on the ground floor and residential space (upstairs). I would welcome this auction wholeheartedly. This is good news for Bearwood.

“It can be worse than just leaving things to get more rundown.

“Access to some of the flats at the back is just terrifying in the day, it would be more terrifying at night and I wouldn’t want to live there because of access.

“We would really welcome anyone trying to invest in the area.

“It would look better and revitalise a popular shopping area.”

The auction will take place on October 18.

Councillor Jaron has previously highlighted how she hopes more investment can come to Bearwood.

She spoke of the revamp of the Grade ll-listed Lightwoods House in the town as another example of steps being taken to improve the area.

The house, which dates back to 1791, has now been revamped following a £5.2 million project spanning two years.

Councillor Jaron said she hoped this project would bring ‘more investment to the area’.

Its restoration has seen new oak flooring installed on the ground floor and the roof slate-tiled.

Offices have been located in the upstairs of the house while downstairs there is a function room for events such as weddings.

A tea room, community rooms for training, classes and exhibitions and a children’s centre are also on site.