A County Durham shop described as a "piece of village history" is set to go under the hammer with a guide price of £175,000.

The building, located on Market Place in Middleton-in-Teesdale, has been in the same family for over 50 years.

Now, estate agent Pattinsons has listed it for sale via secure sale online bidding.

Known as 'Raines', the building was run as a local hardware store but is now seen as having "great potential" for other uses, whether commercial or residential.

Subject to necessary planning consents, Pattinsons said the property is a "perfect" investment opportunity for those "looking to breathe life back into an older building".

The shop has "ample charm and character throughout", and also includes a two-bedroom apartment on the first floor, which is "nicely presented".

Estate agents are keen to encourage viewings to fully appreciate the property and its potential.

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The building spreads over an impressive 4,000 square feet across three floors.

The ground floor includes various sections laid out for retail use, with a useful outbuilding providing storage, while the first floor offers more retail space, a kitchenette, a useful WC, and a storage room.

The two-bedroom apartment, also on the first floor, has a "pleasant outlook" across the market place and is described as "ideal to move into straight away".

The second floor contains even more retail space, another storage room, and a useful office.

It is listed as freehold, with a current rateable value of £9,100 as of 1 April 2023.

The property is said to lie within a conservation area, and County Durham is noted as a former mining area.

Located in the heart of Middleton-in-Teesdale, a village that is described as having a "peaceful atmosphere" and "traditional stone buildings, local shops, and cafes", the area is also a popular spot for locals and visitors, serving as a starting point for exploring the North Pennines.