THE sale of the former Dolls Museum in Musselburgh is a step closer, after several bids were received by selling agents IME Property Ltd.

The closing date for offers on the category B listed former church at 200 High Street has now passed.

It is understood a preferred bidder has been identified and negotiations are under way.

The former museum, which was opened by owners the Alongi family – who run neighbouring restaurant Caprice – in 2004, has been closed for four years and was put up for sale in December.

Iain Mercer, managing director of IME, said the sale had generated interest from a number of different sources.

He said: “The sale of the former dolls museum is a prestigious instruction for IME Property and we have been delighted with the amount of interest generated by our marketing campaign.

“The property was viewed by a range of different parties, from property developers to business users, and we conducted over 20 individual viewings.

“Following several notes of interest, a closing date was set from which a preferred bidder was identified.

“We are now working closely with that party and their advisors to progress the sale to a successful conclusion.”