Published at 15:33, Friday, 01 March 2013

IT’S part of Barrow’s past that nobody wants to buy.

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The Canteen and Media Arts Centre this week failed to sell at auction, again, at Trafford Park, in Manchester, on Tuesday, at a fraction of its original guide price.

The venue failed to receive a buyer following an auction despite being listed for just £65,000 – after once being on the market for half a million pounds.

The former shipyard canteen, in Michaelson Road, Barrow, opened as a music venue to great applause in 2005, with Cumbrian indie giants British Sea Power playing at the opening night in November.

A host of acts including the Fall and Idlewild played at the venue before it closed in 2010.

The venue was first put up for sale in 2010 after closing its doors but initially the guide price was set between £400,000 to £500,000.

It then went up for auction in Carlisle in October, but failed to sell at a guide price of £260,000.

The building was purchased by entrepreneur Gary Robinson in August 2004 and underwent a major renovation.

Mr Robinson handed over the reins to Chris Bamber, former landlord of the King’s Arms in Barrow, in January 2010 but returned in August of that year to announce that the building would be sold.

Eric Wood, a former Barrow Island councillor, said he was unsurprised at the lack of interest in the building.

He said: “The building itself doesn’t lend itself to anything.

“There is virtually no car parking and it’s right next to BAE Systems.

“We’re talking about a building that’s difficult to maintain, and really, difficult to do anything with.”

The property, which was built in 1882, spans around 10,500 sq ft and includes a main function hall with capacity for 500 people.

The auctioneers said they were not sure if the building will be relisted for auction at this stage.

l What do you think should happen to the Canteen? Contact us with your views at: letters.em@cnmedia.co.uk

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