Popular Portsmouth pub closed by Greene King goes up for sale for “enormous” £1.1m

An advert for the Manor House in Court Lane, Drayton, has appeared on estate agent Savills’ page. It comes as campaign group Save the Manor House had previously lodged an application with Portsmouth City Council over the possibility of taking over the long-standing pub.

However, the group says Greene King’s decision to put the venue on the market “does not affect” the community’s bid to buy the establishment. With a reported £1.1m asking price the campaign group accepts it is an “enormous” figure - but “achievable with the right people on board”.  

The city council’s decision over the possibility of community ownership is due by Sunday (January 21). The authority has been considering the proposal for the last eight weeks. 

Kerri Anne, of Save the Manor House, posted on social media: “I have spoken with the estate agent. They confirmed (Greene King) are open to offers, but would like in excess of £1.1m. The figure sounds enormous, but we know it is achievable with the right people on board.

“I also spoke with (the city council) which confirmed the listing/possibility of a sale does not affect us should our application be successful. I will be able to update you all with the decision this weekend.

“We are going to spend the rest of the week thinking positively, looking at all of the options again for the future of the pub. I would be lying if I said the sheer volume of work that will be required isn't a bit scary. We know this will be relentless now. The application process was time consuming enough.

“We want to avoid rumours and make sure you have all of the facts, so as soon as we have them, we will share them. Once again, please can we keep the page to posts solely about the saviour of the Manor and negative comments to a minimum.”

A council spokesperson previously said: “The council does have eight weeks to consider an application to add an asset to the register of Assets of Community Value (ACV). During this time, checks are made to ensure the application is valid, that the property does add to the social interests and wellbeing of the local community and has a realistic prospect of continuing to do so.”

The advert on Savills shows an aerial view of the boarded up pub that was hastily shut ahead of schedule by Greene King - further enraging punters who were denied a final drink goodbye. The advert description reads: “The Manor House is a substantial detached two storey public house property which we understand dates back to the 1930s. 

“The building is of brick construction under a multi-pitched tile roof with single storey tile roof and flat roof extensions to the rear and side. The property benefits from external car parking and a trade garden and sits within a plot of approximately 0.5 acres.”