The outside of The Emporium in Hungerford.
Current proprietors Richard and Barbara Mills have put the freehold of the building on the market and will sell to interested parties who promise to keep the antiques centre as a tenant.
The couple bought the building 14 years ago and built up the centre across three floors, with the top (fourth) floor used as an office and for storage.
They were originally farmers but have been in the antiques business for more than 20 years, starting out renting units in centres before the opportunity to buy the building came up in 2008.
Richard said they have decided to semi-retire and once the building is sold they will continue to trade from a small area in the building, paying rent.
The top floor of the property could be converted into residential use but the Millses hope a buyer will come forward to keep at least three floors of antiques.
One of the dealers' areas in The Emporium in Hungerford.
Richard added: “We are not holding our breath and think it will take a while to find the right buyer… six months or more. But it has recently been put up to scratch with various repairs and is now in good condition.”
The centre has a manager (Neil Gohil) and assistant manager (Cole Younger) as well as three self-employed staff with around 50 dealers trading out of The Emporium including Amandini Antiques (silver), SP Asimi (coins), Boteswood Manor Antiques (furniture and smalls), Amorford Solutions (jewellery) and Faulkner & Booth (china and glass).
Inside The Emporium Hungerford.
Antiques hub
The Emporium is one of several antiques businesses in the Berkshire town including Great Grooms and Hungerford Arcade Antiques & Collectables. Mills describes the town as an antiques hub and a great place for shoppers to come and “make a day of it” with plenty of options across the price spectrum.
The 3389sq ft (315sq m) building, being marketed by estate agent Christie & Co, is valued at £1.25m.
