These two historical landmarks are to be auctioned next month

The former civic centre in Otley town centre and the former county courthouse in Keighley are due to be auctioned by Pugh, as part of a sale of more than 100 properties and plots of land.

The civic centre, which closed in 2010, is being sold on behalf of Leeds City Council and has been given a guide price of £135,000. The grade two listed building was originally constructed in 1871 as the town’s Mechanics Institute.

Paul Thompson, managing director of Pugh, inset, said: “Since the civic centre closed a decade ago its future has been uncertain. It’s important that such a significant and historic building – a landmark in Otley for the past 250 years – should be given a new identity that brings it back to life and ensures it becomes an asset to the community once again.”

The former county courthouse on North Street in Keighley town centre, which was built in 1831 and finally closed in 2012, has remained empty since its closure and has been given a guide price of £150,000.

Mr Thompson added: “It is a shame for the local community when a historic landmark building like the courthouse remains disused for any length of time.

“There are all kinds of potential new uses for the property, in the hands of an imaginative investor, and we’re hopeful that if it’s sold at auction, this could mark a positive new chapter of regeneration for the building that would also be good news for Keighley.”

The 4,000 sq ft courthouse still retains many of its court fittings and has been largely left intact since it closed.

Pugh’s next auction, featuring properties and land across the UK will be held online on December 9. For more details and to view the full auction catalogue, go to www.pugh-auctions.com/contact/property-auctions-leeds