A city’s oldest pub is set to go under the hammer this month with a dramatically reduced price.
The 600-year-old King’s Head in Wincheap, Canterbury, has been on the market for more than a year and was originally up for sale for £425,000, which was later dropped to £375,000.
But it has now been listed with auctioneers Clive Emson’s September property sale with a guide price of just £220,000.
The old inn is said to have traded continuously since the 16th century until its closure in 2022.
The owner has now successfully applied for its designation as an ‘asset of community value’ to be lifted, meaning the building does not have to remain a pub.
The building retains many original features but has been the subject of alterations, which the city council’s planning officers are investigating.
Canterbury pub historian Rory Kehoe says the loss of the pub would be a tragedy.
Last year, he was part of a consortium in the city that bid to buy the inn, but the offer was rejected.
He says an increased offer was not financially viable, given the cost of restoration work he believes is required.
Agent Fleurets, who have been marketing the property, says the King’s Head is a building of “immense character”, with heavily-beamed ceilings and open fireplaces – but requires refurbishment.
It add: “The pub is being sold on behalf of a private client who has now retired from the licensed trade and offers an opportunity to restore and reopen it as a character inn.
“It has several other advantages, being prominently situated on a busy road and in close proximity to lots of businesses and housing, including big new residential developments at Thanington.
“It is therefore ideally situated to serve the local community, capture passing trade and is almost unopposed.”
