Chance to own fire-damaged church in Cleethorpes as it goes under the hammer

A former Cleethorpes church which was destroyed following a huge blaze last year has been put up for sale - with a guide price of just £20,000.

The Grade II listed Beaconthorpe Methodist Church, situated on the corner of Grimsby Road and Tennyson Road, suffered significant structural damage after a fire broke out at the derelict building in October last year.

The former church was built between 1913 and 1914 and had been sat empty for a number of years. Before the fire, planning permission had been granted to turn the building into six apartments.

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The blaze destroyed the roof and gutted the interior of the church. Neighbouring residents spoke of their sadness following the incident, with one telling Grimsby Live: "120 years of history has gone up in smoke in just two hours. I live just behind it and get up every morning and see it, which was lovely.

“I even went to a wedding 12 years ago here and it was beautiful. Sadly, I think they’ll have to tear it down now looking at the walls.

“I saw the smoke and wondered what on earth was happening. I walk past it every time I go to a match at Blundell Park and it makes me sick to see it in this state. It’s even worse knowing somebody was going to do it up, but keep the exterior, it’s just awful."

Just over a year on from the fire, the property is set to be sold in an online unconditional auction on Monday, December 2 by Auction House, Lincolnshire.

Listed on Rightmove, the description reads: “The property is situated on a prime plot in central Cleethorpes on the corner of Grimsby Road and Tennyson Road, surrounded by residential properties, and offering excellent access to the town centre, railway station and the beach front and promenade, along with a wide range of facilities and amenities.

“This site offers huge scope and a wealth of potential, in an excellent location. While the property is fire damaged, there is endless opportunity to redevelop and restore the site to one of former prominence.”

A hall building adjacent to Beaconthorpe Methodist Church is also being sold separately by online auction, with McHugh & Co the agents in this matter. The hall, with a guide price of £25,000, will be sold on Tuesday, December 10 and is described as a freehold detached building, “with further potential subject to the necessary planning consents being obtained”. It is being sold with vacant possession.