THE Crown pub at Rumwell has been sold at auction for £225,000 for the freehold.

The property, on just over half an acre, has 80 covers, bar, restaurant, extensive parking and four-bedroom accommodation for the owner or manager.

Clive Emson’s West Country auctioneer Graham Barton said: “We are seeing rising numbers of instructions for pubs at auction.

“They always generate keen interest and the pub caught the eye of bidders with a lot of bricks and mortar and land for the guide price.

“The new owners now have various options, including continuing in the licensed hospitality trade or some residential development, either whole or in part and subject to planning consents.”