THE POPULAR former Shankly’s Cafe building in Liphook is to be auctioned this month – less than six months after a bitter dispute with its landlord saw the cafe shut its doors.

The freehold property at 21 Station Road, previously let at £18,000 per annum, is guided at £100,000-plus and is among 132 lots being auctioned by Clive Emson, regional land and property auctioneers.

It was until last August occupied by Shankly’s Cafe when, after a bitter spat with its landlord, the cafe’s 15-year stint came to an abrupt end.

A post on the cafe’s Facebook page ‘from the girls at Shankly’s’, just days before its permanent closure, read: “It’s with the most heaviest of hearts that after 15 years, this Sunday [August 1] Shankly’s will be closing its doors for good.

“It’s not a decision that has been taken lightly but for personal reasons and having battle after battle with the landlord the time has come to say goodbye. Hand on heart we would like to thank you for your continuous support and loyalty over the years.

“All that is left to say is we’re going to miss you all!”

Rob Marchant, Clive Emson’s Hampshire auctioneer, said: “The sale includes the freehold of two flats above the retail unit, both of which have been sold on long leases.”

Bidding for the online auction opens on Monday, March 21, and ends on Wednesday, March 23.

Fresh plans for a new block of McCarthy Stone retirement flats for over-60s at the former Allianz Insurance building in Haslemere Road, have also come forward this week.

It comes after plans for 30 homes on the site were shelved by owners of the site Ashill.