LAST orders is being called for good at the weekend at one of Taunton's busiest pubs.

The final day of trading at the busy Coal Orchard is Sunday (October 2).

The Bridge Street premises, owned by pub operator Wetherspoon, is in the process of being sold to an unnamed buyer.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "The pub’s final day of trading is this Sunday.

"The sale completes on Tuesday, October 11.

"We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years."

Mr Gershon added that all the staff currently employed at the Coal Orchard are staying with the company and transferring to other nearby Wetherspoon pubs.

The cut-price drinks firm will still operate the Perkin Warbeck pub in East Street, which underwent a £1.4million refit in 2017 and has one of the longest bars in Somerset.

The company announced it was closing the Coal Orchard last year after putting the freehold of the four-storey premises on the market on an asking price of around £450,000.

It vowed to remain open until a buyer was found and it is believed an offer was lodged with Wetherspoon in the spring of this year.

It is believed the new occupier will run a bar/pub from the venue.

Wetherspoon, which put a number of its pubs on the market following the pandemic, has consistently declined to reveal the identity of the buyer. It is believed both parties have signed a confidentiality agreement.

A spokesperson at XOXO, which was founded in 2019 and also has bars in Brighton and Bournemouth, has denied recent rumours that it was taking on the premises.

The building was originally a 1930s cinema and features a bar servery and tables and seating for around 176 covers, with an external beer terrace.

The second floor houses toilets, the cellar and staff facilities.

The top two floors are leased to 24 hours a day gym Activate Fitness.

Builders' merchants Spiller and Webber, which was founded in 1890, was based in the landmark building for many years until it moved to Victoria Street before ceasing trading in 2009.

The company's trademark penny farthing was for years a familiar site in the premises.