Northumberland pub, near Wylam, sold to become offices

An estate agent has expressed “remorse” after selling a rural Northumberland pub so it can be turned into offices.

Commercial property agents Christie + Co has overseen the sale of The Crown and Anchor pub in Horsley, near Wylam in Northumberland for £250,000.

But the firm’s Newcastle branch pub negotiator and associate director Mark Worley said he had “mixed feelings”  about the deal, which will see the existing pub – which was built in 1805 as a coaching inn – close.

“We are usually delighted to announce the sale of any pub,” said Mark. “However, I have mixed feelings regarding this one.

“On the one hand I am pleased that we have found a buyer for our national pub company client and also that we have assisted a local firm relocate their business, however, such is my affection for the pub trade, I am never happy when a pub closes.”

The stone built Northumberland pub, which sits on a large, half acre site in the centre of the village, a few miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne, had seen its future the subject of rumour for a number of months, with managers Brenda and Ron Eggleton denying on Facebook last September that the pub had been sold.

It has been bought freehold by a local firm of surveyors for £250,000 with the intention of converting the building into office space.

And Mark said the pub had been a prime candidate to be shut down, as it had both local competition and the potential to be developed.

“The Crown and Anchor had all the hallmarks of a pub destined for alternative use,” said Mark. “A large site, a dwindling trade and a building which needed significant investment.

“Plus there was also stiff competition from the highly popular Lion and Lamb just a few doors away.”