From churches to coastal gems – auction highlights from the South West
From landmark period buildings and character cottages to quirky coastal opportunities and historic pubs, this month’s auction results from Clive Emson Auctioneers once again highlight the incredible variety—and potential—that the property auction market continues to offer. With competitive bidding, standout sale prices, and buyers recognising opportunity where others may see challenge, Clive Emson Auctioneers’ May auction delivered plenty of talking points across the South West. Here’s a closer look at some of the lots that caught our eye…
Former church snapped up at auction
A prominent former church in Teignmouth has sold for £100,000 at auction on 7th May,
The United Reformed Church in Dawlish Street was among 145 lots listed in England by Clive Emson Auctioneers in its May online auction.
Auction appraiser Steve Appleby said: “This substantial former church building occupies a highly prominent island position in Teignmouth, close to the town centre, railway station and seafront.
“There may be potential for a variety of future uses for the new owner, including residential conversion, community use or redevelopment of the site, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”
Stratton Creber Commercial Property Consultants was joint agent.
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Darling bids of May
A fire damaged former beach café in Torquay sold for nearly eight times its freehold guide price when it went under the hammer.
The former Watcombe Beach Café carried a guide of £5,000 plus, but keen interest, with 63 separate bids, took the final sale price to £39,500 when the gavel eventually fell.
Auction appraiser James Lofthouse said: “Bidders clearly recognised the potential of the former Watcombe Beach Café.
“While it requires significant improvement following fire damage, it provides a number of options for its new owner, including continued use as a beach cafe, subject to all necessary consents being obtained.”
Also in Watcombe Beach Road, a nearby fire damaged former toilet block sold for £29,500 – also well in excess of its freehold guide of £5,000 plus.
Both lots were auctioned with joint agent Bettesworths.
In St Marychurch, Torquay, a mixed-use property at 58 Fore Street fetched £110,000, which was £15,000 above its freehold guide.
As well as a ground floor shop, it has a three-bedroom flat above and fully enclosed garden.
The property was auctioned in arrangement with John Lake Estate Agents.
There was a total of 230 bids for an area of freehold land and a former ice house in Lower Woodfield Road, Torquay.
The keen interest took the final sale price to £32,600 from a freehold guide price of £1,500 plus. The parcel measures about 0.04 hectares (0.11 acres).
It was auctioned jointly with Bettesworths.
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Cottage sells at auction
A cottage in Broadclyst, near Exeter, sold for £104,000 when the gavel fell at the auction.
The two-bedroom property at 6 Station Road had a freehold guide price of £95,000 plus.
Auction appraiser Steve Appleby said: “Well-situated cottages in sought-after villages have a strong track record of selling well.
“Once updated, this particular property offers the new owner a number of options, including occupation, letting or resale, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”
The cottage was auctioned in arrangement with Right at Home.
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Pub is toast of auction
Cheers – a historic country pub on Dartmoor with letting rooms has sold at auction for £157,000.
The Sandy Park Inn, at Sandy Park, Chagford, near Newton Abbot, is a thatched property that includes a bar and dining area, beer cellar, three letting rooms and two-roomed owner/staff accommodation as well as a beer garden, two storage sheds and four private parking spaces.
Auction appraiser James Lofthouse said: “We are instructed to auction public houses on a regular basis.
“The Sandy Park gained the interest of bidders with its superb location on the edge of the picturesque village of Chagford, adjacent to the A382, a key route through Dartmoor.
“As well as high levels of passing trade, its period charm with exposed beams, flagstone flooring and original fireplaces may also have been among the attractions for bidders.”
Sandy Park Inn had a freehold guide price of £150,000 to £175,000.
It was auctioned in arrangement with Bettesworths.
A semi-detached house at 14 Orchard Grove, Brixham, sold for £174,000. With three bedrooms, the property has front and back gardens along with a garage.
It was listed with a freehold guide of £170,000 plus.
The house was auctioned in arrangement with Eric Lloyd & Co.
Freehold land next to 14 Whitstone Road, in Paignton, sold for £10,000 – exactly on its freehold guide. The parcel measures about 0.06 hectares (0.15 acres).
Bettesworths was joint agent.
The next online auction, the fourth of eight this year, concludes on 17 June, with bidding live from 48 hours beforehand. Lot entries close on 22 May, with the catalogue online from 28 May. See https://www.cliveemson.co.uk for more details.
If you have land or property in Devon and are considering selling, it may be worth exploring whether auction is the right route for you. You can request a free, no-obligation auction appraisal to discuss your options with a specialist.