Derelict old ironmonger shop to sell at auction
A LARGE former ironmonger’s shop in the Cynon Valley will go up for auction next week, with a starting price of just £9,000.
The derelict shop, located at 22-24 Penrhiwceiber Road, now has boardedup windows and has been put up for auction on behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taf council.
The large unit, which used to be Rowlands Ironmongers, is being sold by Seel and Co at auction.
It has reportedly been closed since the early 2000s, and has two storeys, measuring almost 11m in width. The listing advertises the building as being on the main road and in the centre of the village, amid other commercial buildings including a Post Office, pharmacy, barbers, as well as numerous homes.
According to Seel and Co, auctioneers have not inspected the former shop internally, but understand it comprises of an openplan retail area on the ground floor, with more retail space and storage on the first floor, as well as a garage/workshop with rear lane delivery access outside.
But those interested in buying it will have to use their imagination about how the inside may look, as external viewings only are available.
According to Mountain Ash councillor Pauline Jarman and leader of the local Plaid Cymru group within Rhondda Cynon Taf council, the shop has been shut since around 2001.
She said it used to sell items like paints, gas containers, paraffin and general household tools.
But it closed and remained empty for “many years”, before a group called Penrhiwceiber Regeneration Strategy reportedly attempted to open it as a community resource – the same group that regenerated the nearby Penrhiwceiber Hall.
She said the council then bought Rowlands, leasing it to the regeneration group for the purpose of creating a community resource for the area.
But those plans never materialised, and the council has now decided to put it up for auction.
It’s not the only Cynon Valley property of interest up for auction next week, as the former Ebenezer Chapel, which is overrun by Japanese knotweed, is also to be bid on as the council looks to give the old building a chance of securing a new lease of life.
The Grade II-listed chapel will also go under the hammer with a starting price of £9,000.
They will both be sold by Seel and Co at an auction on Tuesday at the Park Inn Hotel in Llanedeyrn, Cardiff.