COULD Wonderland market be turned into flats?
The 59,000 square foot building taking up three acres of land has been sold for £302,500 – almost £100,000 shy of the auction guide price – to an anonymous "substantial property company" in the north west of England.
Eddison Chartered Surveyors managed the sale, and director, Tony Webb, said residents can expect work to begin on the site over the next year.
He said: "We are not entirely sure what they are planning for Wonderland, but we know they certainly want to do something with it. They haven't just bought it to sit there.
"They are investors with good funding facilities and they saw it as worthy of investment. It is in a prime location and they know there is potential there for redevelopment.
"This is great news for Cleethorpes."
The building, owned by Town And Country Markets, will close as a market indefinitely in a couple of weeks once the sale is finalised.
Councillors say this, combined with the sale of the Pier – which could see it extended and transformed into a family entertainment centre following a £1-million investment – shows growing confidence in the resort.
North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw (Labour, Sidney Sussex) is keen to meet the mystery buyer to discuss their plans.
He said: "Businesses can see we are investing not just in Cleethorpes, but in North East Lincolnshire. We have proved to them we are open for business and at long last we have large companies wanting to come here.
"Redevelopment work is needed in this area of Cleethorpes. We will be only too happy to sit down and talk with the buyers. Property is something that needs to go ahead here."
However, Councillor Shaw wants work to start soon to avoid another empty building on the promenade, adding: "The market used to bring lots of people to the prom, now it doesn't as much. However, it would be a shame for the building to stay empty for a long period of time.
"If it is going to take a while, I would hope the buyer comes up with an alternative use on a temporary basis."
