Former 19th Century workhouse up for sale
LandwoodA 19th Century workhouse, which has been described as a "bit of a blot", is being sold.
The former Hexham Workhouse on Corbridge Road, which dates back to 1839, served as housing for the destitute until 1939 before it was made part of the old Hexham Hospital.
It has stood empty for more than a decade.
Auctioneers Landwood said the Northumberland property, which has an asking price of more than £800,000, should "generate plenty of interest".
The site is being sold following the collapse of its previous owners the 79th Group, which fell into administration amid a fraud investigation by the City of London Police. The Southport-based company has denied any wrongdoing, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
The building is being sold by the company's administrators Quantuma.
Independent councillor Derek Kennedy said he hoped a new developer would be able to make the most of the historic site.
He said the building's lack of use had been a "bit of a blot for the town".
"We had high hopes for the 79th Group – we met with them on a few occasions and they laid out their plans," he said.
"There was some interesting proposals for housing but they never came to fruition."
He said a developer could make "something spectacular" with the site.
"We do like developments that use old buildings," he said.