'Huge interest' in iconic Oxton flat ‘Ron’s Place’, say auctioneers

Located on 8 Silverdale Road in the heart of Oxton stands a large double-fronted Edwardian home where the late local legend Ron Gittins once lived.

The ground floor flat, affectionally referred to as ‘Ron’s Place’, was turned into a living gallery by Ron filled with giant sculptures, murals, and other various artworks including a minotaur and a 3m high lion’s head fireplace.

Minotaur fireplace (Image: Smith and Sons)

Ron died in 2019 at the age of 79 and it was not until his death that the extraordinary interior of his rented flat came to light.

Auctioneers, Smith and Sons, have revealed details of its latest auction catalogue which includes Ron’s Place.

The online auction will be taking place on March 1 and viewings are currently underway on all the properties with Ron’s Place receiving a “huge interest” according to auctioneers.

The house, comprising of four flats, is currently up for sale and is guided at £325,000 and will be sold with the artwork intact.

The outside of 8 Silverdale Road in Oxton (Image: Smith and Sons)

Chris Johnson, Auctioneer at Smith and Sons said: “This is undoubtedly going to be a really interesting auction with some fantastic properties and one very unique home in particular.

“We are seeing a good level of interest in these lots despite some negative press comments regarding the state of the housing market. There is still good demand particularly for houses needing refurbishment which provide potential for a profit on resale or a high yielding investment.

“Our lettings department are reporting high demand for each property which comes available to rent and now is still an excellent time to enter the buy to let market or indeed build on an existing portfolio.”

The inside of Ron Gittins flat in Oxton (Image: Smith and Sons)

When it was first revealed the house could be sold, a campaign to save the unique property was launched.

READ: Fears over future of 'unique' Birkenhead flat full of 'outsider' art

Since then, Ron's Place has been kept alive by family and supporters who have somehow found the rent and other payments to preserve the flat as an inspiration to others with hopes they can establish a cultural base and creative community asset to benefit those locally and beyond. 

Ron’s niece, Jan Williams, is the founder of the campaign to save Ron’s Place and has gained support from award-winning filmmaker Martin Wallace and celebrity frontman Jarvis Cocker who described Ron’s Place as a “personal universe”.