Famous British sitcom corner shop up for auction at £150,000
Own a piece of TV history with this iconic shop auction
A corner shop made famous by a beloved British sitcom is now up for auction. Located on Lister Avenue in Balby, Doncaster, the property will be auctioned on October 15 with a guide price of £150,000.
The shop, on a quiet residential street in South Yorkshire, narrowly escaped demolition in 2008 when campaigners intervened after it previously failed to sell at auction. This auction presents a unique opportunity to own a piece of British television history.
The shop’s exterior was featured as Arkwright’s convenience store in the 1970s sitcom *Open All Hours*, starring Ronnie Barker as Albert Arkwright. However, those looking for the original store might be surprised to find it has been transformed into a unisex hair salon.
-Famous corner shop from iconic English sitcom goes up for sale – but can you guess the show? https://t.co/fyltuNuaIF pic.twitter.com/m4Mn81rLGN
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) October 1, 2024
*Open All Hours*, which ranked eighth in a 2004 poll of Britain’s best sitcoms, depicted the humorous escapades of Arkwright and his nephew Granville, played by Sir David Jason. The series was the creation of Roy Clarke, also known for other notable English comedies such as *Keeping Up Appearances* and *Last of the Summer Wine*.
It aired for four seasons from 1976 to 1985. In 2013, a sequel titled *Still Open All Hours* was launched, featuring Clarke and Jason, although Barker had passed away in 2005. The sequel ran for six seasons and followed the now-older Granville managing Arkwright’s store after his uncle’s death.
A seventh season was commissioned in 2019 but faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The BBC eventually cancelled the series, stating there were no plans for new episodes. The fortunate buyer will also acquire two self-contained flats above the shop.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Chronicle Live reports the iconic BBC “Open All Hours” corner shop in Doncaster to go up for auction with a £150,000 guide price, emphasizing its historical significance and recent use as a hairdressing salon.(read more)
- Prolific North reports on the iconic Doncaster shop from BBC’s Open All Hours going up for sale with a £150,000+ guide price, highlighting its television history and potential interest among bidders.(read more)
- Yahoo News: A South Yorkshire hairdressers, famous as Arkwright’s in BBC sitcom “Open All Hours,” is set to be auctioned off with a guide price of £150,000, after previously failing to meet its reserve price in 2008.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What iconic corner shop from a British sitcom is up for auction?
The shop from ‘Open All Hours’ is up for auction.
Where is the ‘Open All Hours’ shop located?
It’s on Lister Avenue in the Doncaster suburb of Balby.
When is the auction for the ‘Open All Hours’ shop?
The auction is set for October 15.
What is the guide price for the ‘Open All Hours’ shop?
The guide price is £150,000.
What is the current use of the ‘Open All Hours’ shop?
The shop has been converted into a unisex hair salon.
