Bidding war starts over the iconic Cleethorpes Pier
THE sale of the iconic Pier is "moving at 100 miles an hour" – but the owner will only sell if he knows it is in "safe hands".
A bidding war has now broken out between potential buyers for the Cleethorpes landmark, which failed to sell at auction on Saturday.
And owner and local businessman Bryn Ilsley is hopeful he can strike a deal by the end of the week.
Today, two London-based companies will be shown around the Pier and yesterday, Swindells Auctioneers were negotiating with two other firms, among other bidders.
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Mr Ilsley, who owns several properties around North East Lincolnshire, said: "I have had more offers and more interest in the last 48 hours than I had in the two weeks before the auction, it has been unbelievable.
"But I want to see the Pier in safe hands, I am not going to let it go willy-nilly. I spent a lot of money, time and effort on it so I want it to go to the right person. It isn't like valuing and selling a three-bedroom terrace, it is the landmark of Cleethorpes."
The highest bid for the venue on Saturday night was £390,000 – falling £10,000 short of the guide price.
But after attracting attention from the national media, scores of potential buyers came forward – and it is likely it will surpass the £400,000 guide price.
Auction manager Tina Waterfall would not disclose the names of companies but is excited about the Pier's future.
She said: "Since the auction it has been going 100 miles and hour. We have had a lot of offers – including some silly ones – and I would think a buyer will be found by the end of the week.
"It is incredibly exciting, the interest is so varied, but the bidders are still holding their cards very close to their chest.
"I feel very passionate about the building, I have lived and breathed it for several months now, it is my baby and I can't wait to see it being put to fantastic use."
The highest price the Pier – which is one of just 55 in the country – has ever sold for was £1 million in the 1980s.
But there is still a chance Mr Ilsley will not sell and either rent it out or run the venue himself.
He added: "I am glad it hasn't sold, it means I have had more time to think things through. I am not going to rush into anything, if it sells it sells, if it doesn't there are other options we can look at."
7 Comments
by seadog
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:17PM
“open it again then we will know where all the scum is at night”
by sunshine2000
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 8:25PM
“Grimsby as auditorium so why can't Cleethorpes have it own auditorium at the pier. Better than it wasted. It's apart of Cleethorpes history which can't be lost. Wonderland could used for a
auditorium or a winter gardens site or even some better idea?”
by Jackthelad
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 8:16PM
“Bomb the eyesore along with NELC”
by markus250666
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 5:53PM
“All NE£C think about is themself's, they don't give 2 hoots about the locals or there heritage. Just look at how much this town has been run down over the years.”
by seadog
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 4:31PM
“liveletlive NELC will not do that they never do anythink that bring people/money in to the town there happy to just lob a park bench on the front for some old granny to sit on”
by phantom2012
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 3:42PM
“£4.75”
by Liveletlive
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:52AM
“NELC should buy/rent it and move the Fithing Heritage Centre to the Pier and moor some Trawlers/boats along side this would boost tourism and help the centre which is a drain on finances at the current location”