A STRIP of shops in the heart of Southampton is to go under the hammer after the building’s owners went into receivership.

The row on 106 to 113 St Mary Street is currently occupied by St Mary’s Carpets, bookmakers Coral and Tesco Express, with the fourth vacant, along with the snooker hall above them. None of the tenants are affected by the sale by auctioneer Clive Emson, which has placed a guide price of £170-190,000.

Auctioneer Rob Marchant said: “This site has previously been the subject of several successful planning applications, since lapsed, for conversion or redevelopment above the shops to provide residential apartments or student accommodation.

Receivers have instructed us to sell the buildings and we anticipate interest from property investors with a view to the long term.”

Nearly one-third of an acre, including a large camping and leisure outlet currently trading as Leisure Trail in Mansbridge Road, West End, is also being sold for a guide price of £280- £300,000. Clive Emson’s auction takes place at 11am on December 12, at the Ageas Bowl, West End.