One of Preston's best-known pubs goes on the market - this is why
The current building dates back to the late 1950s.
One of Preston’s best-known pubs and restaurants has been listed for sale.
Greene King are looking to offload the Lea Gate in Blackpool Road - part of the chain’s Hungry Horse collection - for an undisclosed price via agent Savills.
As well as a food and drink offering for up to 230 guests, the pub also has 38 en-suite bedrooms, 97 car parking spaces and an outdoor terrace. The entire site extends to approximately 1.093 acres, set back from the busy A583.
A spokesperson for Greene King said: “Following the announcement of our new pub estate strategy earlier this year, we are now exploring all options available to us regarding the future of the Lea Gate, including a potential sale. The pub remains open and continues to trade as usual.”
As part of the new estate strategy, Greene King identified around 300 pubs they believe ‘would be better served under different models’. In our area, these has led to the recently closure of the Roebuck Inn in Billsborough, and the Spread Eagle at Mellor being listed for sale for £1.65m.
No information about jobs at the Lea Gate has been provided by Greene King.
The history
The Lea Gate gets its name from an old private toll gate that controlled the crossing over Savick Brook. Until 1902, the road was a toll route owned by the Clifton and de Hoghton estates, where travellers paid fees before proceeding toward Blackpool. Charles Edward Sharrock ran the site as Sharrock's Lea Gate Hotel/Pub through the early decades of the 20th century.
The original older roadside building and toll house structure were pulled down around 1959, and a new hotel/pub building was constructed further back from the main road.