A figure of more than £1 million is being asked for Ludlow's iconic Bodenhams retail department store, which has come to the market for the first time in hundreds of years, marketed by Shrewsbury-based Halls Commercial.

The Bodenhams business, which has been a mainstay in Ludlow since 1860, is also available for purchase by separate negotiation.

Prominently located at the junction of Broad Street, King Street and Market Street, the Grade 2 listed, three storey building, is, says James Evans, head of Halls Commercial, "suitable for a variety of uses, subject to planning consent.

“The Bodenhams building and business are iconic in Ludlow,” he added. “Every time you see an image of Ludlow, it’s the eye-catching black and white building that people focus on. Now, we are offering an extremely rare opportunity for a business to come to Ludlow and buy it!

Family-run Bodenhams is one of the oldest department stores in Britain, stocking a variety of leading brands across menswear, ladieswear, lingerie and homeware.

The timber building dates from 1405 and has a wealth of vintage and quirky features, both internally and externally, dating back to that time. The ground and first floor provide retail sales areas and ancillary accommodation while the second floor is used as stores and ancillary accommodation.

There is access, owned by the property, to a further basement area from a passageway from Broad Street.

Owned by many prestigious Ludlow families through the centuries, William Bodenham acquired the shop in 1860. The son of a farmer, William is said to have turned his back on the countryside in 1858, finding employment in Ludlow with a High Street milliner.

He and his wife Emma started their own business which became one of the great successes of Victorian Ludlow.

Passed down directly through the Bodenham family ever since, the current owners are Roger Curry and his wife Monika, who took over in 2018, following the death of Mr Curry's mother, Muriel.

Roger’s carpentry background allowed for the shop to have a complete makeover from 2012 onwards, giving a modern twist to the shop but keeping Bodenhams' traditional features.

Viewing is by appointment with Halls Commercial on 01743 450700.