MYSTERY surrounds the future of a pub in Christchurch after it was put up for sale.

The Goose and Timber, in Barrack Road, which is owned by Ei Publican Partnerships, was put on the market near the end of last year and is now under offer.

Adam Bullas, director at Savills, which is marketing the town centre pub, said he did not know what the buyer’s intentions were for the property, which is listed as having development potential.

“We’re selling the pub unconditionally, and it’s now under offer," he said.

“The pub has always had a varied history and has had various names over the years – it was called Dukes before it became the Goose and Timber.

“Christchurch has a strong food and beverage following compared to other towns of its size. The site of the pub is in a very prominent location, but it’s also very difficult for patrons to get to, and sometimes they aren’t prepared to walk to it as there’s so much choice in Christchurch.”

He added: “It’s one of those situations where if Christchurch only had one or two pubs, the Goose and Timber would have probably done alright.

“The problem is that as there are a lot of pubs in Christchurch, it hasn’t been operated in a manner where people want to frequent it.”

A spokesman for Ei Publican Partnerships said: “From time to time we identify sites that we do not consider have a long term future within our business. After careful consideration the decision has been made to sell the Goose and Timber, and the freehold is currently being openly marketed.”

Ward councillor Peter Hall said the fact the pub has changed names several times over the past few years “probably didn’t help” it to remain successful.

“When it was Dukes, it survived for a while and did well. With the pub changing names a few times, it probably didn’t help as people get into the habit of going to a pub they know.”

He added: “We have quite a few pubs in the town which are running a first class service. If this pub was not being used, there must have been a reason for that.”