Two shops with a joint guide price of £125,000-£150,000 are set for auction this month.

The properties currently provide an annual rental income of nearly £60,000 each.

Auctioneers at Pugh have included the retail units, located in Whitehaven's busy Market Place, in Pugh's online property sale on July 17, alongside more than one hundred other properties and land plots.

Edward Feather, director at auction house Pugh, said: "The property at Market Place is offered in conjunction with local agents Walton Goodland and does require remedial work doing, mainly to the front of the building.

"As a result, the current lease looks set to reduce the rent to £40,000 for a new ten-year business tenancy to reflect the inconvenience of the repair works and their effect on the business.

“But taking that into consideration, these properties still represent a very high yield and for what could be a relatively small investment, depending on how bidding progresses at the auction.”

Market Place Market Place (Image: Supplied)

The larger of the units consists of three stories and is currently occupied by Haven Home Centre, a hardware store. The adjoining smaller retail space is occupied by a business selling wild bird food.

Mr Feather said: "The two shops are in one of the best retail locations in the heart of Whitehaven, surrounded by an excellent mix of retail, coffee shop and residential properties.

"Albion Square, developed as large modern office premises for Sellafield, is very close by, along with all town centre amenities and the attractive harbour front; it’s a great area to invest.”

Pugh's auction, which features the shops at 74 and 75 Market Place, will be held online at www.pugh-auctions.com.