Buyers targeted regional investments and receivership lots as Acuitus's sixth and final commercial property auction of the year raised just under £18m.

Acuitus auctioneer, Richard Auterac, commented: "Throughout the year investments in London have been predominantly at the top of buyers' lists, but it was interesting to see at this auction that there was also demand for substantial investments in major cities throughout the UK including Liverpool, Southampton and Newcastle.

"This demonstrates that buyers are more receptive to a variety of opportunities than the current received wisdom might indicate. This was further borne out by the sale of three unoccupied office buildings all of which were outside London.

"Bidding was also competitive on the receivership lots in the auction and all of the properties entered by receivers sold well. Among these was the outstanding sale of the day: the ground rent investment in the Travelodge Hotel in Harlow which sold for £1.875m reflecting a yield of 3.5%."

The continued strength of demand for assets in London and the south east was demonstrated by the £1.25m sale of a public house in Wembley let to Barracuda Pub Company at £200,000 above its guide price, and the sale on behalf of recievers of a freehold shop let to Ladbrokes on Chatham High Street which was bought for £772,000 at a yield of 6.7% and almost 25% above its guide price.