A TAUNTON pub that has been closed for more than a year is on the market.

Offers in excess of £1.5million are being invited for the Master Thatcher, on Severn Drive, off Lisieux Way.

Time was called on the farmhouse-style pub in October 2022.

The venue has had a chequered past, with one tenant "permanently" calling last orders in August 2019, blaming the cost of drinks imposed by the brewery and high overheads.

It re-opened nine months later under new management, running a 'Chew Chew Bbq Drive-Thru' three nights a week on top of the usual pub offering.

There were suggestions that the pub, which was owned by Bridport-based Palmers Brewery, was failing to attract high numbers of customers after the double whammy of the Covid pandemic and high inflation, leading to another closure.

READ MORE: Master Thatcher closes in October 2022.

The thatched property is now being advertised for sale by Savills for offers of over £1.5million on the balance of a 999-year lease from June 1995 at a peppercorn rent, inclusive of the remaining trade related

fixtures and fittings, but otherwise with vacant possession.

The ground floor features a large trading area with space for more than 200 covers and a long bar servery.

There is a large, modern trade kitchen and wide ranging back of house areas including walk-in cold stores, beer cellar, staff amenity space and chef’s office.

The first floor is also extensive with a function/trading area with space to accommodate approximately 120 covers

There are also two self-contained areas of living accommodation for staff with separate access.

The property on a 1.143-acre site has car parking for at least 70 vehicles and a large trade garden.