Burnt-out Corby pub goes up for sale with a guide price of a quarter of a million

The Rockingham Arms, built in 1955, was one of Corby’s best estate pubs in its day.

Owned by Tadcaster-based brewery Samuel Smith’s, the pub closed to customers ten years ago amid a raft of new rules which included no TVs, no swearing and no mobile phones.

Since then, the imposing building in Studfall Avenue has remained boarded-up. It had guardians living in the building for several years but in recent months was left empty and became a target for those looking to destroy the building for their own entertainment.

Since the last fire, MP Lee Barron brought together five official bodies in a plea to the brewery to protect the building but received no official response from the brewery.

There was also said to be interest in the site for the town’s new police station, a stalled scheme which was promised by the police, fire and crime commissioner more than a year ago.

Others who have previously enquired about buying the building – before it became derelict – have told our reporters that their approaches received no response from the brewery.

Brewery owner Humphrey Smith’s death was confirmed yesterday (July 1), and now the pub is going up for auction with a guide price of £250,000.

The sales brochure describes is as a freehold, three-quarters-of-an-acre site with development potential.

The particulars state: “The former Rockingham Arms former public house, occupying a prominent freehold corner site of over 3/4 acre in this popular residential area of Corby, within easy reach of the town centre and local schools.

"The building has extensive fire damage and potential is offered for a sizeable development scheme, subject to the appropriate planning consents."

It goes on to say that purchasers cannot go inside the building, and can only view it from the outside.

The auction, run by BTG Eddisons, will be held by livestream on July 29.