Pair of pubs in Suffolk and Essex on the market

The Fleece Inn is a beautifully preserved 15th century public house on St Mary’s Street in the market town of Bungay. Inside the Grade II-listed building, the bar and restaurant areas seat 90 covers in a series of snugs and seating areas, with an additional private dining room on the first floor. The inn also offers an attractive courtyard for al fresco dining to the rear as well as three-bedroom staff accommodation.

The inn retains original character and rustic charm, including exposed timber beams and feature fireplaces, and was sensitively refurbished by the current owners in 2015. Over the years, it has established a loyal local customer base and strong reputation for customer service and quality food.

The Layer Fox is a charming 16th century pub with rooms in Layer-de-la-Haye, less than four miles from Colchester. Rich in architectural heritage, the bar and restaurant spaces serve around 90 covers, with seating for a further 70 outside, across the front terrace and rear decking areas overlooking the garden.

In the rear grounds, the ‘Sleepy Fox’ contains four well-appointed letting bedrooms, each with walk-in wet rooms and underfloor heating. The property also contains one-bedroom staff accommodation and a car park.

The Layer Fox is well-loved in the local community, particularly for its food offering, whilst also benefitting from tourist trade from visitors to nearby attractions including Colchester Zoo and Abberton Reservoir.

For the past ten years, both pubs have been owned by Caroline Compton and her husband Jonathan, who passed away in 2023. Caroline has decided to put both pubs on the market and hopes to hand the reins over to new owners who can take them on to their next chapter.

Caroline commented, “The Fleece and the Layer Fox were projects which my husband took on with enthusiasm, and they are both integral parts of their local communities.  It was not an easy decision to put them on the market, but I hope they will continue to operate successfully under new ownership.”

Hugo Fairbanks Weston, Business Agent at Christie & Co, added, “We’re pleased to bring The Fleece Inn and The Layer Fox to market. Both pubs are presented in exceptional condition, reflecting the care and investment of their owners over the last ten years. With strong local reputations and charming features, they offer an exciting opportunity for experienced operators and newcomers alike. Their competitive pricing makes them particularly attractive in today’s market, and we anticipate strong interest from buyers looking to acquire quality assets in desirable locations.”

The Fleece Inn is on the market with an asking price of £695,000. For more information, visit: https://www.christie.com/1456973/

The Layer Fox is on the market with an asking price of £495,000. For more information, visit: https://www.christie.com/1456974/

For further information on this press release, contact:
Jasmine Davis, Corporate Communications Manager
P: +44 7561 115179
E: jasmine.davis@christie.com

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