The Master Mariner pub in New Brighton was yesterday sold at auction for £552,000.
Property company, Allsop, listed the property with an estimate of £300,000-£350,000.
The former nightclub and bar is part of a short row of seafront properties created by James Atherton in the 1830s. By the 20th century, the lodging houses had been converted into cafés and licensed premises and eventually nightclubs.
The pub company, Wetherspoons, recently controversially abandoned work on the property and put it up for sale.
Announcing the halting of the project, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said, ”Wetherspoon can confirm that it has stopped redevelopment work at The Master Mariner pub (New Brighton) and will not progress with the work.
“The building and the land is to be put up for sale. All staff will continue to work at other Wetherspoon pubs and there will be no redundancies as a result of the pub being sold.
“This is a commercial decision by Wetherspoon.”
The listing on the Allsop website describes the lot as a former public house, known as the Master Mariner, comprising a total of 539.48 sqm (5,806 sqft) plus a terrace (107.76 sqm) and pub garden that includes the site of the now demolished Lacey’s building.
The listing further states that there is an opportunity for redevelopment of the whole site (subject to all necessary consents), which sits on a site area of 0.124 hectares (0.305 acres).
When Wetherspoons pulled out of the development of the plot and buildings, Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey, told birkenhead.news, “It is incredibly frustrating news that Wetherspoons has decided to end the redevelopment of The Master Mariner pub in New Brighton.
“The development and investment in our local community and the creation of local jobs through the renovated pub was a welcome prospect, so I am disappointed to hear that Wetherspoons has decided to end the redevelopment for good and put the site up for sale.
“As it currently stands, the site is in complete disarray and is an eyesore for the local community – sadly, Wetherspoons are leaving the Master Mariner far worse off than they found it.”
Image: Allsop
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