The former Costcutter shop in Ottery St Mary town centre is going under the hammer next month.

The premises in Mill Street will be auctioned on Thursday, February 13.

It has been a retail outlet over many years, most recently as Costcutter, before it closed in November 2017, and the retail part has stood empty since then.

Dean Stewart is chair of the Ottery Business Forum and a member of the town council, which wants to regenerate the centre of Ottery.

He said any new tenant, whether commercial or community-based, would be good news.

"As a council, we're looking to support organisations and community groups that are trying to find premises in the town centre, and any new initiative that would contribute to the town, the council would actively support," he said.

"If it's a commercial venture, the business forum would certainly be willing to step in and assist in any way possible.

"Mill Street is a very important street to us and we want to see as many shops filled as possible."

The building has a freehold guide price of £90,000 to £110,000 and will be sold by the regional land and property auctioneers Clive Emson at the St Mellion International Resort in Cornwall.

Senior auction appraiser Audrey Smith said: "This deceptively large mixed-use property was originally two units, including the 'Old Village Hall' to the rear.

"Now fully integrated, the property is likely to appeal to investors and owner-occupiers as well as those who may see the advantage of separating the two components for re-sale or development subject to the necessary consents."

The property is being auctioned jointly with Haarer Goss commercial property consultants of Exeter.

Visit Clive Emson's website for more details.