A HISTORIC building in the grounds of Abingdon Abbey could become a pub.

Vale of White Horse District Council has revealed one of the top four bidders for Old Abbey House is a pub restaurant firm.

The council put the building, the former home of Abingdon Town Council, on the market in April and is hoping to get between £600,000 and £1m for it.

Council leader Matthew Barber said: “All the top four bidders are a mix of residential and community stuff and a pub restaurant.

“We’re waiting to hear more details from all of them to find out how realistic their plans are.”

Although he wouldn’t reveal the size of the bid, he said he was “not disappointed”.

Abingdon’s Campaign for Real Ale spokesman Steve Green said a pub could be very successful at that location.

He said: “If the Guildhall redevelopment goes through, it could become a really happening part of town.”

Abingdon Town Council is planning to spend £3.9m on revamping the 1960s Guildhall with a 110-seat cinema and a new café to attract more visitors.

Civic preservation society the Friends of Abingdon has applied to make the building an asset of community value. The group has also applied to English Heritage to give the building a listed status, protecting it from development.

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