A commercial property with an unusual tenant could help a new owner take a walk on the wild side.

The ground floor of the end terrace building on East Street, in the popular Baneswell area of Newport, is occupied by well-established niche business Wildside Reptiles. The business, established for 35 years, deals in captive bred reptiles and snakes.

The two-storey property, which is being offered at auction next month, with a guide price of £49,000-plus provides a total of 851 sq ft of space including retail, office and ancillary accommodation.

Matthew Jordan, of Paul Fosh Auctions, is handling the sale and is also conducting tours of the property.

He said: “It’s not often you come face-to-face with a live python when showing prospective buyers around a property that they are looking to buy at auction.

“I do though make a point of telling people about the business before they enter the property just in case they are a bit squeamish and are prepared to take a walk on the wild side!”

The property is currently leased on an annual rent of £3,900 a year.

A completely different proposition is presented at 14 Market Street, Ebbw Vale, where another commercial property being sold by Paul Fosh Auctions could prove to be a banker for an investor.

The mid-terrace, three-storey former Natwest Bank building offers 3,580 sq ft comprising a banking hall, ancillary, residential and storage space. The former bank is on offer with a guide price of £75,000-plus.

Matthew Jordan, who is also handling this sale, said: “The ground floor is fitted out as a banking hall and benefits from carpeted flooring, timber frame sash windows and suspended ceilings with inset fluorescent strip lighting.

“There is staff accommodation on the first floor and ancillary accommodation on the second floor, in the roof space there is a vacant flat which requires refurbishment.”

The property offers a range of potential alternative uses or redevelopment opportunities depending on obtaining the necessary consents.

The two properties are included in the next Paul Fosh Auctions sale on Thursday, May 3, at The Park Inn Hotel, Llanedyrn, Cardiff, which will offer some 70 plus properties and starts at 5pm.