A FORMER department store in Kendal will go for auction next month.

The building, which previously housed the department store chain Beales, has been listed for sale with a guide price of £550,000.

19 months after closing its doors the Finkle Street store will go under the hammer on November 2 with Allsop Property Management.

Beales closed the Kendal store in March last year after the chain went into administration.

Administrators KPMG admitted defeat in their bid to find a buyer for the 139-year-old chain’s remaining 11 stores.

Comprising 3,737.34 sq m (40,228 sq ft) over four floors the building is located in a prominent part of the town and the departure of Beales left a hole in the high street.

According to Allsop the former department store 'may be suitable for a variety of alternative uses or redevelopment, subject to obtaining all the necessary consents'.

For information on planning and re-development potential contact South Lakeland District Council.

And for further information about the building visit auctions.allsop.co.uk/lot-overview/town-centre-vacant-freehold-shop-in-kendal/