For sale: a large bus shelter, 26 metres long, three metres high, one careful owner.
An unwanted bus shelter will tomorrow (Tuesday, 4 July) appear on eBay after St Edmundsbury Borough Council took the unusual step of advertising it for sale on the popular internet auction site.
The blue metal and toughened glass shelter, which is currently behind Boots the Chemist in St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, needs to be removed before archaeological investigations are carried out at the start of the Cattle Market redevelopment in October.
The borough council has investigated whether the bespoke shelter, which measures 26m by 2.7m by 3m, could be used elsewhere. Inquiries have also been made with local companies and supermarket chains, which could use it as a trolley park or covered walkway, but these approaches have had little success.
As a result, the shelter will go under the virtual hammer during a seven day auction, which runs until 11 July but could be extended if necessary. It is hoped someone who fancies adding a unique pavilion, summer house, footpath cover, greenhouse or smokers’ retreat to their home or workplace will take a shine to the shelter and become its new owner.
An estimated 50 people could fit into the shelter, which can be viewed by visiting www.ebay.co.uk and entering “bus shelter” and category “Business, Office and Industrial” in the search box under “welcome to eBay”. The lucky new owner will need to take it down and remove it from St Andrews Street South by late August or early September.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Community Development, said:
“This auction really does provide a unique opportunity for someone to become the proud new owner of an item which would be a fascinating talking point for their guests and friends for years to come. We decided to place the shelter on the internet after trying several other avenues to dispose of it. Hopefully we can start a bidding war and really create some interest – in turn benefiting our Council Taxpayers.”
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
