An iconic hotel in a west Suffolk town centre has been sold after almost a year on the market.

The Northgate in Bury St Edmunds is now under new ownership of a private buyer following a sale by former owner Chestnut Group. 

The former Victorian merchant's mansion had been listed on sale on property website Rightmove with a price tag of £2,000,000.

In a post on social media, Chestnut Group wrote: "Under new ownership. After almost nine years operating in the town centre, The Northgate has now been sold to a private buyer.

"It is a fabulous building in one of the town's primary residential areas and we wish the new owners all the best.

"We continue to evolve and look forward to exciting changes and developments taking place across our other properties in the region." 

Chestnut Group owns more than a dozen venues across East Anglia, including The Packhorse Inn in Moulton, The Black Lion in Long Melford and The Ship in Dunwich.

The Northgate is described on Rightmove as being a "phenomenal opportunity" with "unparalleled off-street parking provision" and "expansive living and entertaining spaces".

The property has nine suites and includes a wealth of period features following two comprehensive refurbishments. 

It is complete with a kitchen, breakfast room, formal dining room, sitting room, snug, orangery, club room, twin staircase and other functional spaces. 

It also has 17 off-street parking spaces, a walled garden and terrace.

The identity of the private buyer is currently unknown.