For sale: Former Shropshire military base where time stands still
[gallery] It looks like a place where time has stopped – but it might just have the potential to bring growth and new jobs to an area of Shropshire.
The former RAF base at High Ercall, known as the Angel Centre, has come up for sale, with offers being invited of more than £1.5 million.
Originally used by the air force during the war, in the 1960s it became a training centre for the haulage industry.
For a while the site was earmarked as a possible holding centre for asylum seekers, but for at least the last eight years it has been empty, save for some storage in the colossal on-site warehouses.
Much of the site remains exactly as it was left when the last occupiers moved out.
In an eerie tableau, snooker balls have been left in position on the baize, beds last slept in long ago remain unmade and chairs are still gathered around the television and its associated video player.
A price list from the lounge area reveals that a pint of Theakston's would have cost £1.60, while the original alcoholic lemonade, Two Dogs, whose popularity has waned, was also on offer for £2.05.
"It's really interesting walking round," said Matthew Tilt, from chartered surveyors firm Bulleys which is marketing the site.
"The chairs and everything are still out and you could imagine it being quite lively at one time.
"There are still duvet covers on all the beds – it's as though somebody just got up and left."
Various businesses from all over the country have expressed an interest in the site, which is being marketed nationally. A variety of uses are being considered.
Leisure use is one possibility being considered for the site, which even comes with an indoor swimming pool, although it could yet be broken up by a new owner and used as individual plots.
