A FORMER village pub has been sold to a property developer, dashing hopes it would reopen its doors.

The Sutton Arms, in Sutton upon Derwent, pulled its last pint a number of years ago and has since remained empty.

Once popular for its food, the pub comprised a lounge, bar, function room, owner’s accommodation, four letting bedrooms and a separate shop unit that was previously used as the local post office.

But the building has now been sold to a property developer for an undisclosed sum through agents Christie and Co. The agents said the former pub was advertised with a freehold guide price of £200,000.

The pub is now expected to be converted into flats.

Martin Stansmore, who handled the sale at Christie and Co, said: “The Sutton Arms is a very spacious detached property with large gardens, situated in a highly regarded village location. As a result, it attracted strong levels of interest as soon as it was placed on the market.

“Multiple bids were received above the guide price and the property was sold within a matter of weeks. This further demonstrates our findings that, even in more difficult markets and challenging times, there are significant numbers of serious buyers – many with large cash deposits – looking to acquire good sites in good locations at sensible prices.”