A former fire station in Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, sold for £312,000 at the final Cheffins property auction of 2022, hosted on 7th December.
With a guide price of £250,000, the late 1950s building was sold to an investor buyer, having come available following the relocation of the fire service from Papworth Everard to Cambourne in March 2022. The building is over 1,900 sq ft in total, and has a large, tarmacked yard. Internally, there is the main fire appliance hall, an office, stores and staff facilities.
Following the fire station, a Grade II listed former blacksmith’s shop on Mill End Road in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, sold for £260,000 against a presale estimate of £150,000. The Old Smithy, which consisted of an attractive building with a workshop area, former kitchen, cloakroom and storeroom was sold to a local buyer.
Another property which saw significant bidding was the Mepal Union Chapel. Dating from the 1850s, the chapel was sold for £180,000 against an estimate of £150,000. Offered freehold and with the potential for a range of other uses, the chapel was sold to a local investor.
Amongst the four land lots offered, 10.29 acres of grassland, separated into four parcels in Witchford, near Ely, achieved £181,000 against a presale estimate of £165,000, whilst two acres of arable land and a parcel of grassland extending to 9.32 acres, also in Witchford, achieved £150,000.
Ian Kitson, Director, Cheffins comments: “The fire station in Papworth Everard saw much presale attention and has potential for use as offices or even for residential, subject to planning consent. We had a number of different bidders all competing for this unusual lot, with it eventually achieving well over its guide price, which is a fantastic result for the sellers. The building came available to buy following Papworth Hospital’s relocation to Cambridge, following this, the fire station became surplus to requirements, and the fire service struggled to encourage enough volunteers. The service moved to Cambourne in March and the Papworth Everard site was sold on behalf of the fire service.
The results of this sale go to show that investors are still very much in the market for land, commercial and residential properties, especially those that are unique and offer buyers a blank canvas. The auction room has again proved to be an efficient way of finding best value, and within this inflationary environment, bricks and mortar investments or land is becoming an increasingly attractive asset, despite the slightly unpredictable market.”
Cheffins’ property auction grossed approximately £10,000,000 in 2022, throughout the East Anglia and Mid Anglia regions.
