A VACANT restaurant unit in Ellesmere Port has failed to sell at auction.

The premises – last trading as The Galley and previously occupied for many years by the South African restaurant, Jabula – went under the virtual hammer on September 23.

The unit, based in South Pier Road near to the National Waterways Museum, had been given a guide price of £170,000 to £200,000 ahead of the online auction held by Smith and Sons Property Consultants.

On the day no bids were made for the property, which was lot number 13, and it went unsold.

The Galley, which was run by Thomas Acton, revealed on its Facebook page back in May that it had decided to permanently shut having temporarily closed two months earlier due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement received more than 600 responses with scores of people expressing their sadness at the shock news.

The Galley had been operating from the unit for four years.

Ahead of the auction, Smith and Sons states: "This modern purpose built restaurant and self contained function room is situated on the Ellesmere Port boat museum complex.

"It established a regular clientele, last trading as ‘The Galley’ and was a performing venue with space for a separate coffee shop.

"There is a fully equipped comercial kitchen and bar facilities with an inventory detailing the equipment, fixtures and fittings which are to be included in the sale.

"There is also hardstanding for outside tables alongside the canal. There is potential to convert the upper floor function room to a self contained residential unit subject to obtaining planning permission."

  • Smith and Sons next auction takes place on December 2. A full list of properties will be available approximately seven days after the closing date.