A former furniture store that traded for almost 100 years is being auctioned following the closure of the company last year.

Marriotts, which was established in 1926, closed at the end of January 2021 after 94 years or trading and will now see its Portsmouth premises, situated on New Road, go under the hammer.

Clive Emson Auctioneers has been instructed to list the property with a guide price of £800,000-plus.

Commenting on the auction, the firm said: “Originally seven terraced houses, this substantial freehold site was the home of the Marriott’s furniture business from the mid-1920s onwards. As the business expanded, more of the terraced houses were purchased to accommodate the growth of the business and the site now incorporates what would have been seven of the original Victorian homes.

“The first floor accommodation remains with a very residential feel in places, whilst the ground floor has been modified and extended to the rear to create the existing retail and workshop space.

“It is considered that the original terrace of houses could be reinstated or perhaps purchasers may have other thoughts as to the potential re-development of the site, which extends to 0.12 hectares (0.31 acres), subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”

The ground floor features the main retail area, ancillary rooms and offices, as well as a rear storage/workshop area. The first floor includes numerous inter-connected office/store rooms.