Former Surfleet pub looks set to become homes after going on market for £700,000

A former pub which has been closed since the start of the Covid pandemic is on the market for £700,000 – with the potential to be transformed into flats and homes.

The Mermaid Inn at Surfleet is currently for sale with Longstaff, and comes complete with permission to be transformed into nine dwellings.

The agent’s description explains the site is a ‘riverside setting of former pub and restaurant premises with seven bedrooms for redevelopment to nine dwellings with full planning and listed building consents granted’.

“Mixed development of flats in the existing pub and four new dwellings on the rest of the grounds,” it added.

Owners called time at the pub at the start of the Covid pandemic, and a pint hasn’t been pulled since.

The application to transform the site – which was Grade II-listed by Historic England last May – into homes was lodged in 2021, stating the Mermaid had ‘been run at a loss for the last four years and was subsidised by the owners through their farming business’.

The rise in energy prices was also cited as a reason for closure, but South Holland District Council’s planning committee asked for proof that the venue was no longer viable as a pub before passing plans.

“The whole property extends to approximately 2,993m², (0.74 acres).... at the present time the property comprises the pub buildings with car park,” the description continues.

“The buildings are available for inspection, and include a cellar area under part of the pub.”