An abandoned Victorian South Wales valleys police station complete with impregnable cells could be a steal when it goes up for sale at auction.
The impressive two storey police building, inextricably linked to nineteenth century miners’ riots, could now be set for a more passive future as offices.
However a date carved into the front of the Rhondda Valley building, 1876, shows the former police station was operating at the time of the violent Tonypandy Riots of 1910.
This infamous event in Wales’s recent history resulted in local police officers and troops being called on by the then UK Home Secretary Winston Churchill, to contain and deal with miners in the bitter dispute over wages.
Many of those caught up in the disturbances are believed to have been arrested by police officers and military personnel operating from the Tonypandy police station. Miscreants would have been detained in the holding cells deep in the bowels of the now empty building which remain in place today.
James Hollingsworth, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The property, which we have listed for what could well be regarded as a bit of a steal at £99,000-plus, consists of an imposing, two storey former police station constructed of stone walls under a pitched slate covered roof with an fascinating and distinctive past.
“Internally, the building provides a mixture of offices, mess room, kitchens and other ancillary areas as to be expected within a police station including, intriguing seemingly impregnable holding cells, all of which are configured over the two floors. Access to the building is elevated above Dunraven Street to the front and via a stone stairway.
“The building occupies a prominent position on Dunraven Street, in Tonypandy town centre which has not been an active station for some time. This is reflected in its condition inside with many rooms either empty or partly cleared and made ready for renovation works.
“There are rooms where fittings have been removed in readiness for the renovation, ripped up carpets, and the remains of a kitchen and a number of toilets. But surely the most iconic features of the vacant building must be the former cells with their solid walls, barred windows and steel-braced, bolt-fitted doors.
“One can only wonder at the history of the building and in particular the former inmates who would have been accommodated in this historic building over the years
“The station is being sold with vacant possession, empty except for the memories of criminal’s past and people who have been arrested and processed or who have spent time inside the gloomy cells, absorbed into the walls.”
Surrounding the police station is a mix of retail and commercial premises which includes notable national retailers such as Home Bargains, Dominos and Iceland.
James said: “The former police station benefits from planning permission for the provision of serviced office accommodation, providing scope for refurbishment and commercial use. There may also be potential for alternative redevelopment or conversion, including residential apartments or other accommodation, subject to obtaining all necessary planning permissions and consents.
“Prospective purchasers are advised to make their own enquiries with the Local Planning Authority regarding any proposed change of use or development.”
Tonypandy is located in the Rhondda Fawr valley within the county of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and approximately 20 miles north of Cardiff the town has an established road network linking to the M4 along A4119 and A4058 onto A470.
The next Paul Fosh Auctions sale, when this and some 100 other varied lots will be on offer, starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 1 and ends from 12pm on Thursday, September 3.
