Shopping centre to stay open despite auction

Idlewells in Sutton-in-Ashfield will go under the hammer on 12 December

People living in a Nottinghamshire town have been reassured their only shopping centre will stay open - despite being up for auction.

Idlewells in Sutton-in-Ashfield will go under the hammer at Acuitus auctions on 12 December and is expected to fetch between £3.25m and £3.5m.

There have been dozens of comments on social media from locals confused about its future.

But site managers Davlea Estates have said it will remain as a shopping centre.

Idlewells first opened in November 1971 as an open-air market.

The site spans 150,000 sq ft and features 40 shops, a cafe, three kiosks and a multi-storey car park.

It is also home to the town's indoor market.

Ashfield District Council leader Jason Zadrozny has described the centre as a "bustling community hub".

"If I tried to go to the indoor market for a coffee, I'd be struggling to get a seat because it's that well loved and we just want to make sure it stays like that," he said.

The shopping centre attracts three million visitors a year, according to the site managers

Zadrozny added the council would work with the new owners to make sure the centre continued to thrive.

Acuitus' listing claims the centre currently brings in more than £540,000 in net operating income.

Davelea Estates said the decision to sell came as it looked to "realign its portfolio of properties" and was not to do with the performance of Idlewells, which attracts three million visitors a year.

"Any prospective buyer will inherit a shopping centre with a strong retail offering, several cafes, a thriving market, regular events, and strong interest in every available unit," it added.