News / Turbo Island
Turbo Island sold to mystery buyer
A mystery “local buyer” has bought Turbo Island ahead of the site going up for auction on Wednesday evening.
It is unknown what will now happen to the infamous patch of land on the corner of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street, which once had a building on it before it was bombed in the Second World War and has been a vacant plot ever since.
Auctioneers Hollis Morgan said on Wednesday: “We can confirm it was sold prior to auction for £100,000 and exchanged contracts this afternoon.”
is needed now More than ever
Turbo Island was paved over in 2022 but that did not stop its fire burning – photo: Martin Booth
In a statement, Stokes Croft Land Trust said: “We have just heard the news that Turbo Island has been sold outside of the planned auction this evening.
“It has been sold to an unknown buyer for £100,00 – exactly the same figure offered in a community bid several weeks ago.
“We are disappointed we did not have the opportunity to bid at auction the funds we raised from the community.
“We want to thank everyone who donated, pledged funds and participated in the campaign to save Turbo Island and believe in the importance of community ownership.
“The strength of feeling about the value of Turbo Island during this campaign has been striking.
“We hope to be able to work with the new owners of Turbo Island in making sure this iconic and important public square continues to be an invaluable community space.”
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A spokesperson for Turbo Island owners Wildstone said that the purchaser of the site was “a local buyer”.
They said: “A local buyer has come forward with an acceptable offer to purchase our land at 72 Stokes Croft.
“As a result, we are withdrawing the site from auction, pending the completion of due diligence and legal processes.
“Should everything proceed as expected, we will move to exchange contracts.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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