NEW owners are set to take up the reins at a prominent Hereford city centre pub, with plans to reopen in the coming months.

The Exchange, a traditional free house in Hereford's Widemarsh Street, has been sold through licensed property specialist Sidney Phillips.

"The Exchange is an attractive Georgian property dating back to the early 19th Century set in the main pedestrianised centre of the city," Sidney Phillips said.

"It stands adjacent to the Old Market Development which has recently brought many other main restaurant chains to Hereford, enlivening this area of the city. The Exchange is now well positioned on a main drinking circuit and experiences a high level of footfall as a result."

The pub offers a traditional open plan ground floor bar, first floor function room and large owners accommodation spread across the first to third floors, with rear trade courtyard in addition.

The outgoing operators have owned the property for the past 22 years as a purely wet business, popular during the day and especially during the evening.

The premises has been purchased by a local buyer, who will be retaining it as a licenced premises. There are plans to undertake a full refurbishment, ready for reopening in the coming months.

Sidney Phillips sold the Exchange off a freehold asking price of £249,500.