by Sian Napier
snapier@thekmgroup.co.uk

These former public toilets in Swalecliffe have been sold at auction for £51,000 - more than twice the guide price.

The facilities in St John’s Road were put up for sale by Canterbury council because of budget cuts and were among 76 lots in Kent being sold by Clive Emson land and property auctioneers.

Auctioneer Kevin Gilbert said: “A fierce bidding war took place amid property investors flushed with funds, with the gavel banging down on £51,000, more than twice the guide price.

“As I mentioned before, there is the potential here for a variety of uses in a good location opposite a parade of shops, including for commercial and/or residential development, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.

“Three other former blocks of toilets up for auction through us elsewhere in the south recently sold, which shows how serious investors are about future potential. However, we are not privy, so to speak, to any plans for the facilities in St John’s Road.

“There was once again a strong appetite for lots in and around Whitstable, with investors looking to property to provide better returns than cash on deposit amid historically low interest rates.”

This latest auction at the Clive Emson conference centre, Kent county showground, Detling, Maidstone, saw £8.5 million raised in sales, an average of 84 per cent sold, with more than 800 people attending.