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A 400-year-old Wolverhampton city centre landmark is going under the hammer - with a surprisingly low guide price

Own a slice of Wolverhampton history as a 400 year-old landmark goes up for auction with a guide price that is surprisingly low

By Fionnuala Bourke
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Last updated

A rare chance to own a slice of Wolverhampton history is coming up for sale in a property auction.

The Grade II-listed 19 Victoria Street is being sold as a long leasehold investment opportunity with a guide price* of just £50,000+ in Bond Wolfe’s livestreamed auction on Wednesday, March 26 (see note at the end).

Dating from the early 17th century, the building – known for many years as Lindy Lou’s – has survived fires and Victorian redevelopment to stand as one of the few remaining timber-framed buildings in the city centre.

A local landmark, it has led a varied life since it was recorded in 1609 as The Hand pub, one of Sir Walter Leveson’s many Wolverhampton properties. 

Since then, it has been the home of an attorney, a 19th century bakery, a post office and then as a restaurant in the 1940s and 50s called The Copper Kettle.

It then became Lindy Lou’s toy and pram shop before being renovated in 1979 to 81 by Wolverhampton City Council, and it is now Tunwalls café and coffee shop.

400 year-old Wolverhampton landmark known as Lindy Lou's goes under the hammer
400 year-old Wolverhampton landmark known as Lindy Lou's goes under the hammer

It is being sold at auction by Bond Wolfe in association with estate agents Michael Tromans.

Ian Tudor, commercial auction director at Bond Wolfe, said: “This is an incredibly rare opportunity to own the leasehold on one of Wolverhampton’s finest historic buildings.

“It is a rare example of its type, having survived devastating city centre fires in 1590 and 1696, as well as a Victorian campaign of demolition and redevelopment.

“The property is in a prominent position in the heart of the city centre, at the junction of Victoria Street and St John's Street, near the entrance to the Mander Shopping Centre.

“The accommodation is over two floors and has the usual ancillary stores and toilets.”

400 year-old Wolverhampton landmark known as Lindy Lou's goes under the hammer
400 year-old Wolverhampton landmark known as Lindy Lou's goes under the hammer
400 year-old Wolverhampton landmark known as Lindy Lou's goes under the hammer
400 year-old Wolverhampton landmark known as Lindy Lou's goes under the hammer

The leasehold property is on a term of 79 years until February 2079. The sale is subject to an existing tenancy of three years until April 2028 at a rent of £21,600 per annum.

19 Victoria Street will be among 178 lots appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction which is due to start at 8.30am on Thursday 26 March.

The auction will be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe’s website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet. 

For more details and to register to bid visit https://www.bondwolfe.com/auctions/properties/, email auctions@bondwolfe.com or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510. 

Please note: Each property is subject to a reserve price which may be different from the guide price.  Please refer to the Important Information and legal pack(s) for further information and any additional fees which may apply.