AN historic Cockermouth building which people feared may be at risk of collapse will be saved and brought back to life, its new owner has pledged.

London property consultant Samiul Ahmed bought the Old Courthouse at auction last July, for £51,000. He expects to spend more than £100,000 making it safe.

The 194-year-old riverside building was described by the Carlisle-based Auction House as a "substantial Grade-II listed town centre property in need of major structural repair".

"My biggest immediate concern is public safety and saving this heritage building," said Mr Ahmed.

"Whatever needs doing will be done, this treasured building will not be left to fall into the river and cause a disaster.

"Every aspect needing attention has had specialists looking into it."

Times and Star: Divers doing emergency repair work early last yearDivers doing emergency repair work early last year (Image: Newsquest)

The three-story Old Courthouse was damaged in November 2021 after the fast-flowing River Cocker eroded the stone section underneath it, rendering it unsafe.

An evacuation order was issued, a family had to move out of their flat, and the owners of the Honest Lawyer and Cockermouth Antiques Market and hairdressers had to vacate their premises. Emergency repair work was done early last year.

Structural engineers have assessed the damage and Mr Ahmed has been working with building control, the Environment Agency, local builders, designers, planning and heritage groups, he said.

"All the stakeholders are trying to work together for the best of the building," he said.

"I want to put locals at ease, let them know what we are doing.

"There are a lot of rumours and unease and I want to give people an insight into what's happening.

"Lots of specialists are involved in rescuing the building.

"The cost of structural work is difficult to assess. It will be a substantial amount, more than £100,000 but I'm happy to invest, this property deserves it."

Mr Ahmed hopes to create some apartments, if planners allow. Otherwise retails units and possibly a restaurant, he said.

Mr Ahmed, who has other property investments, had only seen the building online before buying it.

"It was an interesting proposition. I have other property investments and experience in dealing with all aspects, from design, planning and architecture to building," he said.

"Since buying it I have come up every month, doing research and finding out what needs done. I have really enjoyed staying in the town, meeting people, eating and shopping locally," he said.

"I'm just trying to put all my resources and energy into getting the building safe and sound."

Work will take place over the coming months. "I hope to have full reassurance that the foundation work is sound by August/ September," he said.

The building already has a two-bedroom flat. If planners agree, Mr Ahmed would like to build five or six more.

That would cost about £250,000, he said. He hopes work would be completed mid-2024.

The historic building's journey will be shared in the future on the BBC's Homes Under Hammer.

Host Martel Maxwell has already recorded on site and will return as work proceeds.