THE entire contents of a Polish deli are to be sold off to the highest bidder after being seized by bailiffs.

Dolce Vita Deli, on the corner of High Street and Gaunt Street in Lincoln, was cleared out by collectors at the end of June.

The stock, which ranges from groceries and chairs to wines and spirits, will now go up for auction tomorrow.

The goods are being sold by industrial auctioneers CJM Asset Management, which is based at Scunthorpe.

There is no suggestion the company is not solvent, although the premises appear to be empty.

Paul Cooper, of the firm, said: "The store sold an extensive range of Eastern European food and drink, as well as operating a decent delicatessen section.

"The bailiffs went in a couple of weeks ago after securing a court order to seize the assets of the business in lieu of an unpaid debt.

"They are simply the latest specialist Polish retailer to hit problems. Quite a few such shops have closed their doors in the region in the past few months."

According to Mr Cooper, experts say the large influx of Eastern European workers who were flooding into the county are returning home or moving on to places with more job opportunities.

And major supermarkets are also pricing smaller firms out of the market by adding their own lines of Eastern European foods, he said.

The seized goods included an ancient set of weighing scales made by the Automatic Scale Company of Altrincham, as well as the shop's fixtures and fittings including display shelving, a five-level refrigerated cake display cabinet, a three-tier ice cream freezer and various decorative display baskets.

But not everything is as easily recognised.

Mr Cooper said: "It took us no time at all to conclude the tins of Heinz Fasolka were baked beans.

"That said, there are some products that remain a complete mystery.

"We were also sent a wide range of café chairs, pictures and mirrors, which were in storage on the premises."

The owners of the store were unavailable for comment.

The auction has a total of 1,400 lots. Viewing sessions are available today from 1pm to 7pm and tomorrow morning from 8.30am until the start of the sale at 10am.

It is the second time the firm has sold on the contents of a city store after business problems.

The Echo previously reported how the company had taken on goods from Music Makers in Broadgate after it went into liquidation.

Visit www.cjmasset.com for more information.