A HISTORIC pub that closed suddenly could be reopening soon after huge interest was shown by buyers.

The Ship Hotel in New Road, Leigh, is being offered for sale on housing website Rightmove, more than a year after it suddenly closed.

The three storey building has been a part of the seaside town since 1829 and its new owners are expected to keep it as a pub.

Chris Rogers, an agent for the pub, said: “I am aware that my colleague has been receiving a lot of interest in the leasehold of the property.

“We are pretty positive something will come in that can be agreed.”

The building is expected to be maintained with a bar on its ground floor, and a games area comprising of a snooker table and dart board.

A spokesman added: “There is a further room which may have previously been used for private dining.

“The cellar is accessed below the stairs and is substantial in size.

“To the rear there is a commercial kitchen with extraction canopy and two adjoining wash and storage rooms.

“There are male and female toilets off the lounge area and further male toilets off the games area.”

The dining area and bar as a whole has a capacity of around 90 people.

Included in the building is also four bedrooms.

The building has remained unused since March last year after the former landlords suddenly announced the pub’s closure on Facebook.

The post from the previous landlords read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances the Ship is currently shut.

“Thank you for everything and we wish you all good luck in the future.”

The closure was so sudden for regulars that two half-drunk pints of beer remained on the patio outside the front beer garden and two discarded fridges, filled with rotting food were laid on their sides after the closure.

The pub was previously well known for hosting bands and DJs on the weekends.

It had been hoped that the pub would reopen in July last year after EI Group, formerly Enterprise Inns, took it over.

However, the much anticipated re-opening never happened and it remained empty.

No price has been set for the pub, with the agents accepting bids.

There is still time to put in a bid, with the deadline being 2pm on September 4 for anyone interested in taking on the pub.