With excitement building ahead of a New Year surge in buyer interest, our first property auction of 2026 is set to be a super-charged beginning to the year!
Although looking forward to a well-earned festive break, we’re still working through a flurry of activity in the office as the team prepares for our first online property auction of 2026.
From 21st to 22nd January 2026, we’ll be auctioning a fantastic selection of properties, including residential lots, vibrant commercial properties, and even a truly unique subterranean development opportunity that you simply won’t find anywhere else!
With the combined momentum of an invigorated property market following a softer-than-expected autumn Budget, and the traditional surge in New Year buyer enquiries, we’re expecting our January auction to attract a lot of attention!
If you’re thinking of buying in the New Year, now is the time to get an early look at all of our available lots, read legal packs and register your interest to bid ahead of the auction start.
The lots that we’ve selected for our January 2026 Auction Preview have been chosen to present a cross-section of the exciting properties coming up for sale, including residential, commercial and development opportunities, but there are plenty more to see!
Don’t forget that, further to simply viewing any lots that interest you, we also accept pre-auction offers on all of our properties.
If there is a property that interests you, please don’t hesitate to contact our team ahead of auction day for further details or to make an offer.
Ridley Reservoir, Merelake Road: Lot TBC, £235,000 starting bid
Part of the joy of running one of the North West’s most successful auction houses is that it allows us to feature some truly exceptional properties.
This is why we’re so pleased to open the first of our 2026 auction previews with something totally unique.
Ridley Reservoir represents an extraordinary and highly ambitious development opportunity through the conversion of the former Ridley Reservoir into a substantial multi-level, architect-designed subterranean residence.
The property is tucked away on the picturesque Cheshire/Staffordshire border, making it the ideal location for a rural home.
It benefits from full planning approval (18/5380C) for an exceptional 770 sq m / 8,300 sq ft luxury home arranged across four levels, including a cinema/media room, bar and entertainment suite, gym, swimming pool, plunge pool and multiple leisure spaces.
Ridley Reservoir is being sold by an experienced developer with a passion for property development.
Significant structural and preparatory works have already been completed, and owing to the owner’s professional background in structural development, these works have been implemented to the highest standard.
Completed works include:
This early-stage work pushes the project past the “unknowns” phase, giving incoming developers clarity on structure, scale, feasibility, and future build route.
Existing plans have been approved to transform the existing reservoir into an expansive, contemporary home consisting of a grand open-plan kitchen, dining and living space at ground level, and four bedrooms, each with en-suite, including a large master suite.
The plans call for contemporary design throughout the property and even include designs for a cinema/media room, bar, gym, jacuzzi, swimming pool and changing facilities across lower levels.
This is one of only very few subterranean homes in Cheshire ever to receive planning of this scale, offering a genuinely rare and exciting proposition.
Given the scale of the build, the project naturally lends itself to a phased approach, meaning that the right buyer would not be pressured into completing the project outside of their own speed.
To find out more about this stunning opportunity, read its legal pack, or register to bid, simply visit its property listing using the link below.
House 1, Lowton Treatment Plant, Worksop: Lot TBC, £135,000 starting bid
This vacant three-bedroom linked detached property is positioned in a well-regarded part of Worksop and offers a clear opportunity for refurbishment and value uplift.
Set back off Lower Sparken Hill, the house sits on a good-sized plot and is well-suited to investors or buyers looking for a project in an established residential area.
The accommodation is arranged over two floors and requires full modernisation throughout. The ground floor includes a lounge, dining room and separate kitchen with access to the rear garden.
The first floor provides three bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate WC. Externally, the property benefits from driveway parking, an attached single garage and a large rear garden backing onto woodland, with both gardens requiring clearance.
As a freehold property, House 1, Lowton Treatment Plant, represents an excellent opportunity as either an exciting investment project or as a rental or residential family home.
For further details, virtual viewings, and to register to bid, find the full listing using the link below.
House 1, Lowton Treatment Plant, Worksop
Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton: Lot TBC, £155,000 starting bid
This tenanted three-bedroom terraced house represents an excellent opportunity for buy-to-let investors or first-time buyers.
The property also comprises a hall, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom, as well as a private rear yard.
Landlords will be particularly interested in this property, as the home is currently let with tenants in situ on an AST paying £1,000 PCM.
Situated perfectly for local schools, including Abbey Hey Primary Academy, parks and easily commutable to Manchester, this is a highly sought-after location with demand shooting up over the past few years.
This means that the property will continue to be popular with potential future tenants, representing a good return for the right buyer.
To find out more and register to bid, visit the full property listing using the link below.
Lickle Bar, WarringtonL: Lot TBC, £75,000 starting bid
Our final lot represents an exciting opportunity to secure a commercial property, which is home to a successful business.
This tenanted bar has not been inspected by Edward Mellor, but is reported to comprise a ground-floor bar area of approximately 195 sq ft, and first-floor storage space and toilet encompassing circa 185 sq ft.
The property occupies a prime roadside location in the centre of Warrington, making it an excellent prospect for commercial footfall.
Reportedly let on a six-year lease from September 2024 with a commencing rental of £6000 per annum and a three-year break clause (awaiting sight of lease – please check the legal pack before bidding).
To find out more, read legal packs, and register to bid, view the main Lickle Bar property listing using the link below.
Act now to take part in our first property auction of 2026. With an eclectic selection of lots on offer, there’s something here for every buyer.
Following the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut its Base Rate, the expectation is that January 2026 will be a particularly competitive time for the property market, meaning that buyers will need to act quickly for the best chance of securing their next property.
Furthermore, we are on hand to support buyers with finance options when buying at auction.
Edward Mellor works with a team of experts to help you find the right auction finance quickly and will work with you to meet your deadline.
We work in partnership with lenders who not only work fast, but are happy to lend on many properties available at auction – from HMOs to ex-council homes to non-standard construction and those currently termed ‘uninhabitable’.
To find out more, simply contact our friendly team to help you get started.
If you are looking to sell your property at auction, speak to our auction experts today. Edward Mellor is a leading national property auction house and the only local organisation that combines auction, estate agency, and financial services under one roof.
Our first online property auction for 2026 is set to take place from the 21st-22nd January 2026, so register today to bid and access legal packs for the properties on offer.
If you are interested in selling at our next, or one of our upcoming property auctions, why not book a free property appraisal using the link below?
No matter what kind of property, we are experts at selling at auction, and we can help you get a great price for your property in only 28 days. Contact us today for a no-obligation appraisal.
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