A Grade II-listed former university building is set to undergo a partial sell off as the current owner seeks to claw back funds spent on refurbishments.

The University of Central Lancashire sold the Harris Institute in Avenham, Lancashire to multi millionaire Yousuf Bhailok in an auction in June 2009. He paid £300,000 for the property.

The Harris, originally built in 1846-49, has recently been opened for use as an Islamic educational facility, after being revamped in a renovation project.

Mr Bhailok has now placed a section of the building – the Regent Street part of the Harris, which is a separate building with its own entrance, he said – on the market for about £300,000. There are aspects on the ground and first floors which join the two buildings together however.

Eckersley Commercial property Solutions is managing the sale process and there have been expressions of interest in it already. Mr Bhailok said: “We hope it will be used for educational use but it depends on the person who buys it.”

A spokesman for Eckersley said: “You can walk through into the Harris Institute at the moment, but it can be split and that is the part we’ve been asked to market.”

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