A prominent Ferryhill building with roots stretching back to the 19th century is being offered for sale by auction after suffering major fire damage earlier this year.
Historic pub goes under the hammer
The Eldon Arms, a brick-built public house on Eldon Terrace, is scheduled to be auctioned on 24 August 2026 with a guide price of £60,000. The property has stood in the town since at least the 1870s and has long been associated with the growth of the local railway and collieries.
The building was thrust back into the public eye in January after a blaze severely affected upper-floor rooms and the roof. Police treated the incident as arson; no injuries were reported. Although the ground-floor spaces remain largely intact, the first floor and attic have sustained extensive damage and are described in the auction particulars as having ash-filled rooms and a dilapidated roof.
"A large amount of damage"
Condition, layout and potential
The auction listing sets out the basic layout: ground-floor function rooms and open spaces, first-floor accommodation, an attic and a cellar. There is also an open yard at the rear and a former stables outbuilding on the plot. The sales particulars indicate the site could be suitable for redevelopment or conversion, subject to securing any necessary consents from the local planning authority.
- Location: Eldon Terrace, Ferryhill
- Auction date: 24 August 2026
- Guide price: £60,000
- Condition: Fire damage to upper floors and roof; ground floor largely intact
In recent decades the pub had traded under the Samuel Smith's banner. It closed during the Covid period around 2021 and had been derelict when the fire occurred.
Local implications and next steps
The sale raises questions about the future of a locally recognised building and the wider community impact. Because the site is offered with redevelopment potential, prospective buyers will need to investigate planning constraints, listed-building status and the costs of making the structure safe and wind- and weather-tight. Any restoration work will also have to address the consequences of water, smoke and structural damage caused by the fire.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Auction date | 24 August 2026 |
| Guide price | £60,000 |
| Reported condition | Severe upper-floor fire damage; ground-floor intact; ash-filled attic |
Residents and local heritage groups will be watching developments closely. The building has historical resonance in Ferryhill, having been used for public auctions and civic meetings in the late 19th century and carrying the name of the Earl of Eldon. Any decision by an incoming owner to convert or reinstate the property will be subject to scrutiny from planners and, potentially, local campaigners keen to preserve the site's character.
Interested parties should consult the auctioneers' brochure for full legal and technical packs and make their own enquiries about planning history, conservation constraints and fire-safety remediation costs before bidding.
This report will be updated if further information becomes available from the auction house, the police or local planning authorities.
