Your next home for £275,000? Former Spalding Magistrates’ Court complete with cells, dock and plenty of history

The Sessions House – the former Spalding Magistrates’ Court – in Sheep Market.
The Sessions House – the former Spalding Magistrates’ Court – in Sheep Market.

With more than 150 years’ history of criminals passing through and features such as cells and a reinforced dock, it’s the kind of home which would never be short of a talking point.

The former Spalding Magistrates’ Court has been put on the open market, being promoted as possible residential accommodation.
The price tag for the Grade II listed building is £275,000.

The internal photographs which accompany the listing show the court exactly the way it looked when it last held a hearing in January 2014, with artwork still hanging and files of papers and a full noticeboard in the judges’ and magistrates’ retiring room.

Bilfinger GVA, which is marketing the Ministry of Justice building, says: “The property has the potential to be converted into residential, retail or leisure usage.”
As for possible planning consents, the agent says: “Main town centre uses such as offices, health, leisure, culture and tourism are likely to be

The retiring room – where judges and magistrates considered their verdicts – looks untouched from two years ago when the premises - built in 1843 - was last used as a court.
The retiring room – where judges and magistrates considered their verdicts – looks untouched from two years ago when the premises – built in 1843 – was last used as a court.

acceptable.”

Late last year a consortium of local people, which is now applying for charity status as Spalding Courthouse Trust, revealed that it was hoping to acquire the building for community use.

Bakkavor’s Terry Moore – a possible future chairman of the trust – said being on the market did not alter the urgency of the project.
He said: “The justice department wanted to put it on the market to get a fair deal for the taxpayer and we will respond accordingly.
“It’s ticking along nicely.”

One of the rather grand staircases with artwork adorning the walls.
One of the rather grand staircases with artwork adorning the walls.

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