Anthony CarrollA Gorleston pub which closed in October after its landlord blamed the recession and smoking ban for a loss in business has been sold.Anthony Carroll

A Gorleston pub which closed in October after its landlord blamed the recession and smoking ban for a loss in business has been sold.

And as the sale of the Cap n'Gown was confirmed yesterday it was revealed that another pub in the town, the White Horse which shut its doors in July, is about to be bought.

Following the closures the pubs were put on the market by owner Enterprise Inns through Ipswich-based hospitality and licensed specialists Christie and Co.

John Grace, associate director of Christie and Co, said that an individual buyer had completed the purchase for the Cap n' Gown and that the White Horse was about to be purchased by an individual.

It is hoped that both former Enterprise Inns buildings will remain as pubs and Mr Grace would not reveal their purchase price.

He said: 'Interest has been very strong.'

The White Horse, in Beccles Road, had been put on the market for �225,000 and the Cap n' Gown, in Magdalen Way, was advertised for sale at �185,000.

In October the Cap n' Gown was boarded up after landlord Steve Andrews left citing the economic downturn, the smoking ban and the effects of antisocial behaviour as the reasons.

The closure came three months after the landlady of the White Horse Jacqueline Ellis called time after she blamed the recession and the effects of the smoking ban.

Enterprise Inns said yesterday that another of its pubs, the Gallon Pot in Great Yarmouth's Market Place, should re-open by the end of the month after it closed in November because of electrical faults.

The Evening News' Love Your Local Campaign aims to get people back into pubs which are struggling to beat the effects of government tax hikes, the smoking ban, competition from supermarkets selling cheaper alcohol, and the rents and beer prices charged by the major pub companies.

For more stories on the Evening News' Love Your Local campaign, visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

Have you got a pubs story? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.