The retail tycoon and founder of Poundland has been forced to slash more than £2.5 MILLION off the asking price of his mansion – because of a lack of interest.

Steve Smith, 55, originally put his sprawling Hammer Hill House on the market in November 2014 using his own online estate agency for £6.5million.

By putting the property on the market on EstatesDirest.com he hoped to avoid paying commission and save around £117,000 in solicitors’ fees.

After a lack of interest, Mr Smith, who has a personal fortune of £50 million, later reduced the asking price to £5.75million and advertised the house on Rightmove.

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But Mr Smith has now cut a further £1.8 million off the asking price and is now asking for offers in the region of £3.95 million.

The Herald:

(Photo credit: SWNS)

The dad-of-three said he is expecting to lose money on the palatial pile in order to attract a quick buyer so he and wife Tracy, 54, can downsize.

He said: “We bought the house for £2.2 million in 2002 but we spent probably around £4 million doing it up so we are going to lose money.

“We have had the house on the market for a while and had three people interested but their chains have broken down so we’ve put it on the market again.

“Since the kids have grown up and moved out it’s just me and the wife and it’s a big place for both of us to live in."

The house, which nestles in 28-acres of rolling Shropshire hills near Bridgnorth, is being sold through estate agents Andrew Grant.

The mansion is described as “a fabulous country house of great gravitas.”

The property comes complete with an indoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub and its own changing rooms.

When he finally sells the mansion, Mr Smith is hoping to buy a smaller property elsewhere in the Midlands.

He said: "The house is very special to us and it will be a real wrench for us to leave.

READ MORE: 15th century Highland tower is put up for sale at £3.9m

"We began refurbishing the home in 2000 and finally finished it in 2007.

"It was a real labour of love and no expense was spared. I especially love our home pub with a fully stocked bar. It's really unique and we've had some great parties there."

The Herald:

(Photo credit: SWNS)

Mr Smith set up Poundland with just one shop in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs., when he was aged 27 in 1990.

He sold his share of the business for £50million in 2002 and his Poundland stores now boast 500 across the UK.

He now runs a number of other businesses including Poundland.com and is selling a five per cent share of his online estate agents to the general public.