One of Stirling’s largest shop premises goes up for auction tomorrow, eight years after it closed its doors to customers for the final time.
The three-storey British Home Stores outlet at 8-14 Murray Place – which also had an entrance in Stirling’s Thistles Centre – closed in 2016.
But tomorrow (Thursday) online bids are being invited for the property, which has a guide price of £175,000.
Agents for the property, Graham & Sibbald, said: “This is a vacant Class 1 retail building (formerly a BHS) extending to approximately 20,180 sq ft NIA and occupying a site area of circa 0.14 acres.
“Due to the central location and superb accessibility, we also anticipate the leisure sector showing interest, specifically gyms and food halls.
“There is potential for redevelopment to create a mixed-use or hotel scheme, subject to planning permission.
“It has a High Street location within Stirling’s town centre and main regeneration area, approximately four minutes’ walk from Stirling Station.”
Auctioneers BidX said: “The property was most recently operated by British Home Stores and is arranged with an open-plan sales area at ground floor with further sales areas, restaurant and storage across the upper floors.
“Should an occupier be interested in securing access directly from this unit into The Thistles Shopping Centre, this would currently be possible on separate negotiation with the centre owner.
“Formerly BHS’s unit connected through into the Thistles, however this rear section was leased and does not form part of this disposal. Three units, connecting the rear of the subjects, were created and we understand that one remains available, which could provide access through from the subjects.”
The store, which had a workforce of around 30 staff, was one of 20 BHS branches from across the UK which shut down after stock fell to such a low level that it wasn’t possible to remain open.
The BHS closures marked a milestone in the demise of the chain which was sold by Sir Phillip Green for £1 in 2015.
BHS went in to administration in April 2016 with a pension deficit of more than £500 million and debts of around £1.3 billion.
The premises also previously housed Stirling’s Frasers and McLachlan and Browns department stores.