Sitting by an industrial estate on the edge of the historical town of Needham Market in Ipswich, The Old Mortuary of Lion Lane is destined for resurrection. Set to be auctioned on Wednesday, 26th March for a guide price of £60,000 - £80,000 (plus fees), this quirky property offers plenty of scope for an imaginative developer.
Ready for a new life
Established as a municipal mortuary in 1937 by the now-defunct Gipping Rural District Council, The Old Mortuary would have serviced the local townspeople during the Second World War, when Needham Market experienced several devastating air raids.
It is not known when the property’s life as a mortuary ended, but it does still retain some features that hark back to its original use. These include a bare concrete floor, whitewashed brick walls and two sets of double doors at the front of the building.
Inside the mortuary are two rooms with large windows. The smaller room contains a sink and may once have been the embalming room. The larger room has a further set of double doors at the opposite end of the space.
Thanks to the light emanating into the property and the comfortable proportions of the rooms, The Old Mortuary would be ideal for transformation into a workshop or studio. It would also make a spacious office or commercial premises, subject to the right permissions. Alternatively, it could be revitalised as an unconventional home or holiday let, provided approval is granted.
No matter what its future use, the new owners will be able to take advantage of a convenient concrete parking area at the front of the building, which provides ample room for commercial or private vehicles.
Historic location
The location of the Old Mortuary provides easy access to the centre of Needham Town. This urban landscape is saturated with history and its High Street is a designated conservation area. As a result, it is lined with Grade II Listed buildings and independent shops and cafés.
Those interested in the more macabre facets of the town’s history can walk down Chainhouse Road, which heralds from when the town was chained at either side to contain the spread of plague in the 1660s. The Causeway (formerly The Corpseway) is another infamous route by which plague victims were transported to their place of burial.
The Old Mortuary is also in very close proximity to the picturesque Needham Lake Nature Reserve, which provides locals with a scenic space to walk and cycle.
For other entertainment and larger supermarkets, you can easily reach the neighbouring town of Stowmarket, which is just a 10-minute drive by car.
If you’re interested in rejuvenating the Old Mortuary, please get in touch with the Ipswich office on 01473 558 888 to arrange a viewing.
