Pub goes to auction

The site where the pub Ancient Briton stood in Tunstall has been cleared but even with the low auction price of £100,000 it has failed to sell.

Locals are keen for a developer to take on the property as it has been unused for several years and is becoming something of an eyesore. Indeed, residents are angered at the latest failure to find a buyer.

City councillor Dave Conway lives near the site. He told The Sentinel: “The railings have been pulled down by vandals, it is all overgrown and people often dump litter there. It is an eyesore for everyone living in the area and I just despair sometimes at the state of these abandoned sites in Tunstall.”

The site has planning permission for two houses and eight flats or it could be used for a commercial venture. However, no work has taken place so far.

It is uncertain what will happen to the site now but a spokesperson for the auctioneer's Butters John Bee stated that it is unlikely the property will return to auction. However, it did receive some post-auction interest and a private sale with a reduced price tag may well be possible for the former pub.