A POPULAR watering hole that closed on Monday could reopen if a buyer decides to take on the business, says owner Arkell's Brewery.

There was dismay in Royal Wootton Bassett when it emerged the pub was closing and fears were raised that it could be converted for housing.

Brewery managing director George Arkell said: “The Currier’s Arms has been on the market for a few months following our landlords, Stuart and Elaine Freeman, giving us notice after over two years’ behind the bar.

“They have worked extremely hard to maintain the business as a going concern, with our support.”

He added: “We would very much like to sell The Currier’s as a pub and are still hoping to receive a commercial offer on that basis.”

The high street pub is on the market with Whitmarsh Lockhart for £400,000 plus VAT and is described in the brochure as having seven bedrooms, a large kitchen, a back garden with deck and a smoking area.

Customers had a last drink on Monday night before the landlord called time and closed the doors. One of the regulars, Mark Anderton, had been hoping to buy daughter Francesca her first drink there when she turned 18.

He said: “It is just an old, traditional very spit and sawdust pub. When we heard about it closing we sat there saying: ‘Where are we going to go?’ I’ve been drinking there 30-odd years. It’s just a place where you meet friends. It has got a lot of character.”

“The town has lost a lot of pubs in recent years, including the Beaufort and the Boroughs,” he added.

Social media users were also disappointed.

“Another traditional local down the Swanny,” said Ken Geddes.

Janine Drinkwater added: “Have fond memories of this pub, my dad used to talk of a ghost there. Not sure how true it was but used to keep me entertained when I was young. My dad loved that place, he worked there for years when he left school.”

Thought to date from the 16th century, the Curriers’ was once known as the New Inn and was a homebrew pub producing mineral water. For more than 50 years it was owned by the Osborne Brewery from Yeovil, being bought by Arkell's in 1951.