A FORMER west Cumbrian hotel is due to go under the hammer for less than £60,000.

The Commercial Hotel, on High Street in Cleator Moor, will be one of the lots hoping to sell at Pugh’s next property auctions, due to be held online later this month.

The former hotel, which was extended with the integration of next-door premises the Albert and reopened in 2015, has been given a £55,000 guide price.

The three-storey property includes a total of 15 rooms on the first and second floor, along with a bar, lounge and games area on the ground floor, and a self-contained two-bedroom flat to the rear.

The hotel was previously granted planning permission for conversion to two houses and six apartments.

The online auction will open at 10am on April 21.

Paul Thompson, managing director of property auction house Pugh, said: “This is a handsome property in a great location, with the open spaces of the Lake District, and Whitehaven, right on its doorstep.

“While changing leisure habits have undoubtedly triggered hard times for the pub industry, buildings such as the Commercial always offer potential for strategic redevelopment schemes and it would be tremendous to see the hotel become an asset to the community once again.”

For more information on the former Commercial Hotel, and to view the full auction catalogue, go to www.pugh-auctions.com.