A CONTROVERSIAL property at Bembridge has been sold at auction.

The freehold of 5-7 Bembridge High Street was sold through Clive Emson Auctioneers for £185,000.

The building is home to Captain Stan’s fish shop, a longstanding commercial tenant who signed a new ten-year lease in January.

To the rear on the ground floor are former public conveniences, and the first floor is vacant having last been used as an office.

The sale follows months of controversy since the building was put up for sale.

Before the new lease was agreed with the fishmonger, parishioners feared losing the building as it houses amenities that residents believed could have turned a profit for the parish council.

It was also taken off the market at one point, when the council became tied up in a judicial review, launched by local business owner, Peter Burke, who had submitted the highest cash offer for the building, but had his offer rejected.

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