One of the largest pubs in the Norwich area is one of two to be have been put on the market.

The Gordon in Gordon Avenue, Thorpe, closed in September with customers and staff in tears at the news.

It has remained shut and its owner Punch Taverns said today that it was being sold, although it was looking to reopen it under a short-term tenancy before the sale.

Commercial property consultants, Everard Cole is handling the sale and is advertising it as an alternative use opportunity development, subject to planning permission.

A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: 'It is always our preference that our pubs continue to trade as pubs.

'However, we do review our estate regularly and may explore other options around the future of our less sustainable sites, or where they might better fulfil their potential for the local community under different ownership.

'Following such a review, a decision has been taken to put the Gordon on the market. In the meantime, we are currently looking for a licensee to keep the pub open until we find a buyer.'

Meanwhile, the freehold of another Norwich pub, the Mustard Pot in Thorpe Road, is being sold through surveyors and valuers Fleurets for an undisclosed fee. The current tenants at the pub, which remains open, will continue until it's sold, a spokesman for the owner, Adnams said.

The news has been greeted with disappointment by Warren Wordsworth, from the Norwich and Norfolk branch of Camra .

He said: 'I would be particularly disappointed if we lost the Gordon, as it's the only pub in that area.

'There are other pubs near the Mustard Pot. But that would be sad as well as it reduces even further the number of Adnams pubs in Norwich, which is now down to just two - The Mulberry and the Rumsey Wells.'

The sale of the Gordon pub has been listed for discussion at the next Thorpe St Andrew Town Council meeting.

The Evening News has been urging customers to return to pubs in our Love your Local campaign.

To see more stories from the campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

What's happening at your local pub? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.