A DISTINCTIVE former restaurant in an Isle of Wight seaside town is going under the hammer next month. 

The building, the former Thai Mukda restaurant, with living accommodation, at 59 High Street, Shanklin, will be auctioned by Clive Emson Auctioneers in November.

The former Tudor Rose restaurant — well known for its mock Tudor facade — has a freehold guide of £160,000 to £170,000.

It is one of 13 Isle of Wight lots to go to auction.

Rob Marchant, regional director and auctioneer, said: “The vacant commercial premises was, for many years, a high-quality tearoom and, in recent times, transitioned into a restaurant, with its main trading area accessed from the High Street.

"It is supported by kitchens and ancillary space on the lower ground floor.

“The first floor offers extensive living accommodation, with three bedrooms, along with a large, enclosed garden at the back.”

The premises has been an important part of Shanklin's culinary past, for more than 70 years.

It was also known as Siam Pearl, the Tudor Cafe and Italian restaurant, Arvino D'Amico.

Going further back, to the middle of the last century, the cafe of K. Gray and Sons Ltd was an impressive feature of the High Street, "where day-trippers took afternoon cream teas, before strolling along the golden sands" of Shanklin.

For further details on the auction, go to the Clive Emson Auctioneers website.