The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The Sessions House – the former Spalding Magistrates’ Court – in Sheep Market.
With more than 150 years’ history of criminals passing through and features such as cells and a reinforced dock, it’s the kind of home which would never be short of a talking point.
The former Spalding Magistrates’ Court has been put on the open market, being promoted as possible residential accommodation.
The price tag for the Grade II listed building is £275,000.
The internal photographs which accompany the listing show the court exactly the way it looked when it last held a hearing in January 2014, with artwork still hanging and files of papers and a full noticeboard in the judges’ and magistrates’ retiring room.
Bilfinger GVA, which is marketing the Ministry of Justice building, says: “The property has the potential to be converted into residential, retail or leisure usage.”
As for possible planning consents, the agent says: “Main town centre uses such as offices, health, leisure, culture and tourism are likely to be
The retiring room – where judges and magistrates considered their verdicts – looks untouched from two years ago when the premises – built in 1843 – was last used as a court.
acceptable.”
Late last year a consortium of local people, which is now applying for charity status as Spalding Courthouse Trust, revealed that it was hoping to acquire the building for community use.
Bakkavor’s Terry Moore – a possible future chairman of the trust – said being on the market did not alter the urgency of the project.
He said: “The justice department wanted to put it on the market to get a fair deal for the taxpayer and we will respond accordingly.
“It’s ticking along nicely.”
One of the rather grand staircases with artwork adorning the walls.
