Sheffield care home which closed despite 5,000-signature petition going under the hammer

Hurlfield View in Gleadless was the city's last dementia respite centre before being closed by Sheffield Council in March last year.

The centre, which provided respite for carers and emergency beds for people living with dementia, shut after the NHS Health and Social Care Trust ended its contract two years early due to funding issues.

It is listed for auction next Tuesday by Mark Jenkinson & Son, under instruction from Sheffield Council, with a guide price of £350,000 - £400,000.

The brochure states: "The last use of the building provided a mix of residential and day care, and proposed new uses within the same use class order would be acceptable in principle. Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries in respect of alternative uses."

It describes the facilities on the 0.9-acre site as being well-maintained and ready for immediate use, while also referring to 'redevelopment options'.

Sheffield Council, which had commissioned the service, said the closure of Hurlfield View last year was part of its strategy to move dementia care away from centres and into the community.

But families who used the centre said they relied on it to give them a break from caring for their loved ones, with one carer saying she didn't know how she would cope without it. More than 5,400 people signed a petition opposing its closure.

The auction is due to take place in the Platinum Suite at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground.