There are hopes that a recognisable town centre building that has sat empty for some time could still be redeveloped. 

The former Burton store on Fleet Street has been a fixture of the town centre since 1931, but in recent years has been left abandoned and unused. 

It is now lined up to be sold by auction in September. 

Planning consent had been given for the building's upper floors of the 24-25 Bridge Street property to be converted into eight residential apartments, but this has now lapsed. 

Lily Gartland, senior auction coordinator at selling agents and auctioneers Bond Wolfe, said: “It is a site that has redevelopment potential, subject to planning permission, and could suit a variety of future uses including, leisure, retail and conversion of the upper floor for residential or commercial use.”

(Image: Bond Wolfe) The auction listing promotes nearby occupiers such as an Ibis hotel, JD Wetherspoons, Café Nero and a wide range of national high-street retailers.

The Brunel Shopping Centre, described as 'Swindon’s principal covered mall', is within 275 yards.

It adds: "The ground floor at 24-25 Bridge Street is fitted out as a bar, with the upper floors in basic “shell” condition. The ground floor extends to 3,813 sq ft, the first floor 3,358 sq ft, second floor 3,714 sq ft, giving a total of 10,885 sq ft."

Ms Gartland said: “This investment opportunity will go under the hammer in our online streamed auction on Thursday, September 12 unless sold beforehand.”

It is being offered with Watling Real Estate and has a guide price of £475,000-£500,000.

Any interested parties can contact Ms Gartland on 0121 312 1212, or by email at lgartland@bondwolfe.com.

As reported by Born Again Swindonian, AJ Colborne originally built 24-25 Bridge Street as an art deco store for Montague Burton Ltd and the Lucania Temperance billiard hall.

Work began in 1929 and it was completed in 1931.

In the years since it was a shop for men's clothing, the building has been a Beatties toy shop, the Footplate and Firkin, Elington’s and The Bedroom bar and club.

Developer Charles Sherratt Davis was given permission to turn the upper two storeys into eight flats in May 2019, but this has not happened.