A narrow strip of land in Norwich is due to be auctioned for a second time, with a heavily reduced guide price starting at just £1.
The plot, which is situated between Sunningdale and Greenways and forms part of the public footpath known as Haworth Way, previously failed to sell at auction with a guide price set at £500.
But the seller is not giving up, and has set a new guide price from £1 to £250.
The alleyway lies on the outskirts of Norwich city centre and serves as a pedestrian footpath, with vehicle access barred by the presence of a small bollard.
Would you like to own an alleyway?
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Interest in the land has surged recently, following the viral spread of a TikTok video showcasing the plot, which amassed nearly two million views.
User @housinghorrors shared the video, saying in the clip: ‘This is so bizarre. What could you even do with this alleyway?’
He went on to suggest, ‘Maybe you could build some kind of coffee stand on there.’
Many viewers were quick to share their ideas — several of which were tongue-in-cheek.
One user suggested turning it into a bowling alley, while another said they’d put a toll at each end.
Someone else joked: ‘I’d dress up as a troll and just run up and down it all day asking folks to pay the toll,’ while a more practical commenter added, ‘Great opportunity for someone to build a fence and run promotions for local businesses.’
But others pointed out the impracticalities of owning the alleyway, even if it appears to only cost £1.
One said: ‘At best, you’d be legally bound to continue paying money to maintain it.’
Another agreed: ‘You can’t do anything with it as it looks like public right of way.’
And one more commented: ‘It’s quite common to get these small land parcels up for sale on auctions etc. They’re largely useless except as a ransom strip where someone wants to build over it from an adjacent site.’
This renewed buzz contrasts sharply with the lack of bids during the previous auction attempt.
But despite the low entry price, prospective buyers must take into account additional charges associated with the sale.
These include a mandatory non-refundable deposit of 10% of the purchase price or a minimum of £5,000 if the winning bid exceeds that amount.
Other fees include listing costs of £594 and an administration charge of £1,170.
Potential purchasers are advised by Brown & Co, the auctioneers overseeing the sale, to carefully review the legal documentation and seek professional legal advice to fully understand the public rights of way and other obligations connected to the property.
Brown & Co has emphasised that, while the starting price appears minimal, ownership entails legal responsibilities, particularly concerning the upkeep of the footpath and ensuring continued public access.
The forthcoming auction will be conducted online, opening at 11am on 17th November 2025, with bidding concluding the following day.
This auction reflects a broader trend in the property market where unusual plots have appeared on the market recently.
These include a £150,000 garage and £110,000 set of old public loos in London, while in Cornwall a two-bedroom flat was recently listed for just £1.
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