THE historic Duke Street courthouse, at Whitehaven, currently used by the County Court service, has been sold... and for more than the £330,000 asking price.
Formerly the Town Hall and originally built by the Feryes family, the large 18th century property once known as the Cupola ,was being sold, with sitting tenants, by BNFL. The County Court service has a 15- year lease until 2019.
The new owner is a West Cumbrian firm, which, according to estate agents Dixon Webb, was seeking investment rental.
Dixon Webb’s Andrew Williamson said there had been a lot of interest with three parties finally involved in bidding which involved local and national investors.
“We are particularly pleased that it will remain in the hands of a locally-based company,’’ Mr Williamson added.
AFTER it fell into disrepair in the 1980s, the property was brought back into public service by a partnership comprising BNFL, English Heritage, the Property Services Agency, Copeland Council and the Courts Department.
Copeland Council assigned its interest in the building to the court in 2001.
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