THE END of one era for a city in Wales could be the start of another if the sale of what was its oldest department store serves to breathe new life into the building.
The former Wildings building, which had operated as a department store in the city of Newport since 1874, is up for sale at Paul Fosh Auctions.
The store, which was initially established by 21-year-old Alfred Wilding, from Shropshire, as a hat shop supplying the then town’s busy dock workers, played a prominent role in Newport’s development over the years.
Wildings finally closed its doors in Newport for the last time in January, 2019.
The central, four floor property, at 165 Commercial Street has planning permission for mixed use development including the creation of twenty flats.
It is listed with an auction guide price of £370,000.
Debra Bisley, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The historic former department store building is prominently located on the pedestrianised main retailing area of Newport city centre.
“The imposing property occupies a prime location on the corner of Commercial Street and Friars Street, close to the successful Friars Walk Shopping Centre development. Newport’s bus terminal and train station are nearby.
“Planning consent has been granted. with conditions, for proposed division of the ground floor and the creation of a new shop front and two new commercial units.
“The planning permission includes the part conversion of the rear of the ground floor to provide cycle and bin storage and conversion of the second, third and fourth floors, to create twenty flats, removal of dormers and top floor structures and the erection of extensions.”
The former Wildings building along with some eighty varied other properties are being offered for sale at Paul Fosh Auctions which starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, December 10 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, December 12.
For more information, visit the Paul Fosh Auctions website.
