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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/jan/25/disused-mortuary-government-properties-sale
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| Disused mortuary among government properties for sale online | Disused mortuary among government properties for sale online |
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| A former mortuary is among disused public sector buildings being offered for sale or rent on a government property search website. | A former mortuary is among disused public sector buildings being offered for sale or rent on a government property search website. |
| The £50,000 "find me some government space" initiative, modelled on popular commercial sites used by home-buyers, is designed to help shift redundant venues. A magistrates court, ambulance station, fire control centre and two observatories are among the 1,200 sites available across Britain. | The £50,000 "find me some government space" initiative, modelled on popular commercial sites used by home-buyers, is designed to help shift redundant venues. A magistrates court, ambulance station, fire control centre and two observatories are among the 1,200 sites available across Britain. |
| Since the 2010 general election £640m has been raised by selling more than 250 surplus buildings, ministers say. But it emerged this month that others have been empty for more than a decade at great cost to the taxpayer. | Since the 2010 general election £640m has been raised by selling more than 250 surplus buildings, ministers say. But it emerged this month that others have been empty for more than a decade at great cost to the taxpayer. |
| Among rental opportunities is the Bidston observatory in Merseyside, with its distinctive twin domes; another, in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, promises "spectacular views"; Wakefield's former fire control centre would make a good "disaster recovery and training facility", the website says, adding that the property could just as easily be used as offices. | Among rental opportunities is the Bidston observatory in Merseyside, with its distinctive twin domes; another, in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, promises "spectacular views"; Wakefield's former fire control centre would make a good "disaster recovery and training facility", the website says, adding that the property could just as easily be used as offices. |
| There are no suggestions for what prospective buyers might want to use the mortuary in Folkestone, which is on land being sold off as a housing development opportunity. The prospectus declares the site to be a "former Victorian hospital, including a disused mortuary, chapel and hall and tennis court with associated land". | There are no suggestions for what prospective buyers might want to use the mortuary in Folkestone, which is on land being sold off as a housing development opportunity. The prospectus declares the site to be a "former Victorian hospital, including a disused mortuary, chapel and hall and tennis court with associated land". |
| The Cabinet Office minister, Chloe Smith, said: "Not only will this website help to save government money, but we definitely will see new opportunities, jobs and growth in local economies as new life is brought into empty, unused properties." | The Cabinet Office minister, Chloe Smith, said: "Not only will this website help to save government money, but we definitely will see new opportunities, jobs and growth in local economies as new life is brought into empty, unused properties." |
| The site is available from 9am on Friday at gov.uk/find-government-property. | The site is available from 9am on Friday at gov.uk/find-government-property. |
| Top mortgages | Top mortgages |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| HSBC | HSBC |
| Nationwide | Nationwide |
| Provided by London & Country for the Guardian |