The abandoned Welholme Galleries in Grimsby could finally be sold after four years of disillusionment and fears over a huge repair bill.
PPH Commercial, which is handling the sale of the property, has listed the former detached Tier II United Reformed Church as “under offer”.
It is hoped that the agreement will bring hopes and opportunities that the old church in Grimsby will once again be open to the public to some extent.
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A statement from PPH reads: “The property comprises a former Grade II listed United Reformed Church which is currently divided to provide a main hall and church as well as a series of offices, stores, meeting room, kitchen and toilets .
“There is a basement/boiler room and also a mezzanine.
“Externally the property benefits from being situated on a rectangular shaped site with access from Welhome Avenue, Hainton Avenue and Granville Street with parking areas while the rest is landscaped.
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(Picture: Grimsby Live)
“The property is of traditional solid brick and stone construction under a series of slate roofs with ornate windows and various period features both inside and out.
“The property does however require renovation but may be suitable for a variety of alternative uses, subject to consent.”
The 1.6 acre property is now being offered to residents keen to find out what will happen to the deal.
Grimsby Live was told the deal was still in its “early stages”.
The property is being sold on the market for over £200,000.
The Welholme Galleries have now been vacant for four years after repair cost issues.
In February 2008, North East Lincolnshire Council acquired full ownership of the property, allowing it to hold it rent-free for up to 20 years.
(Picture: Grimsby Live)
It allowed the council to have control over the property, while at the same time removing the responsibility to return it to the owner in good condition.
The listed building was later purchased by the council in May 2010, for £499,750 from the United Reformed Church East Midlands Synod Incorporated.
It was bought with a restrictive covenant stating that the council could not sell the property within 10 years of the date of purchase, without the buyer entering into the same arrangement.
A detailed study in 2012 predicted that restoring the building to ‘operational use’ would cost around £911,000. But then the costs seem to have increased further.
In 2019 John Fenty, former councilor for Humberston and New Waltham ward of North East Lincolnshire Council, commented on Welhome Galleries at a full cabinet meeting where he said the repair cost over £2million sterling.
In October 2021 officers from North East Lincolnshire Council confirmed there had been interest in the Welholme Galleries which had previously been used to house museum artefacts and display local art.
This is part of plans to bring unwanted land owned by the municipality to market and back into use.
It is hoped that new owners can be found to take over the maintenance and put it back into regular use.
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