The supermarket giant – which lost out to Sainsbury’s in a battle to develop the land – has put the former Curwen’s electrical shop on the market. A guide price in the order of £200,000, which also includes the offices and first floor, has been put on the building, which is to be auctioned at Aston Villa Football Club on December 9.
The shop was vacated by Curwen’s almost four years ago and since being bought by Tesco has been in temporary use as a replacement for the Listley Street library while that building was revamped.
Richard Baddeley, independent agent acting for Tesco, said that the former Curwen’s shop was the last of four units to be sold.
“It would have become part of the car park had Tesco built a store,” he explained. “The shop is in poor condition and the roof is leaking,” said Ron Darlington, joint head of auctions with Birmingham firm Bigwoods, who are handling the sale. “There has already been some interest in the property and it is feasible that it could be sold prior to the auction,” he added.
News of the sale comes at a time when Sainsbury’s are involved in another battle, to gain access on to a right of way to the rear of Aristocats shop, to enable the relief road scheme to be completed.
Sainsbury’s spokeswoman Sue Bailey yesterday declined to comment on the current situation.
