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Bids pour in for historic chimney

Published date: 24 October 2011 |
Published by: Staff reporter


 

BIDS are continuing to flood in for a Wrexham landmark up for grabs on an internet auction site.

Former Wrexham MP and AM Dr John Marek has listed on eBay the historic 120ft Border Brewery chimney on Tuttle Street, Wrexham.

Since the auction began on Sunday, October 16, bids have continually been placed and by yesterday evening the current price had rocketed to £820 after 45 bids.

Chimney owner Dr Marek has vowed to give the proceeds from the sale to charity, having originally planned to give the item away.

He said: “There’s been an incredible amount of interest in this. I didn’t expect it to raise anything like this much.

“I think the level of interest gives reassurances about how people feel about our heritage.”

The Ruabon brick structure dates from 1894 and was built as part of Soames Brewery, which became Border Brewery in 1932.

It was given to Dr Marek free of charge by the chairman of Marston’s Brewery when he took over the site. He halted a plan to tear it down when he was MP.

Dr Marek, who has been spending about £700 a year to insure the chimney, told the Leader he would cover the winning bidder’s legal costs for the purchase.

The auction, listed as ‘Wrexham Ruabon brick brewery chimney’ is due to close on Wednesday.

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  1. Posted by: watchdog at 14:45 on 24 October 2011 Report

    I see the Leader are promoting the e bay sale every day but are the Leader oulining the pitfalls the await any prospective purchaser? The insurance, repair etc. That comes from owning such a building.

  2. Posted by: wrexhamafc at 14:53 on 24 October 2011 Report

    Probably because Marek is one of the 'inner circle' who can do no wrong in the eyes of the less-than-impartial Leader (you could include certain football club near ex-owners,car salesmen with a perchant for knocking down town heritage,and other self publicising 'politicians'). Not exactly a newspaper of any merit,is it?

  3. Posted by: legenderry at 20:45 on 24 October 2011 Report

    I wouldn't bid in case he changes his mind like he changes his political party. I don't know why the Doc doesn't keep the chimney, paint it orangey yellow and it'll be ready to market it him to try as a lib dem at the next election!

  4. Posted by: Therealche at 22:44 on 25 October 2011 Report

    Hope when I win this auction he will post it to me in Bradford. Well he does say postage to UK available. And do you think all these bids are real? People bid just to wreck the auction. His description on eBay? "Original, listed. Soames brewery chimney in good condition" Fails to say the buyer will have to maintain and insure it. Nice to see him passing the buck now he realises what an albatross his free gift from Marston's is. Throw the rest of the site in and I'll make a bid for it myself!

  5. Posted by: Therealche at 22:50 on 25 October 2011 Report

    Oh and if he had made it a Charity listing on eBay he would have avoided the 10% commission on the final price eBay will take. And by accepting PayPal he runs the risk of someone claiming all the money back, leaving him with a big bill!. Nice to see a well informed MP ;)

  6. Posted by: a cahill at 14:37 on 26 October 2011 Report

    I'm all for it.... flat pack chimneys are all the rage nowadays...how exciting and easy to store...just like the wardrobes where you get an extra piece of wood and one screw....and spend 3 hours trying to figure out where they go.... throw in an extra brick or two

  7. Posted by: liberty1 at 21:03 on 26 October 2011 Report

    cahill, how apt that you should have a loose screw.

 

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