THE historic Great White Horse Hotel in Ipswich has been put up for sale with a £2million price tag. The substantial brick-built Grade II Star Listed property is currently owned by developers, Citygate Developments of Norwich, and has 56 letting bedrooms, a bar and function areas which have hosted weddings and live entertainment events.

THE historic Great White Horse Hotel in Ipswich has been put up for sale with a £2million price tag.

The substantial brick-built Grade II Star Listed property is currently owned by developers, Citygate Developments of Norwich, and has 56 letting bedrooms, a bar and function areas which have hosted weddings and live entertainment events.

It occupies a corner location fronting Tavern Street and the rear hotel reception is situated off Northgate Street.

Having gone through a number of ownerships in recent years, the hotel now represents a very exciting opportunity for either redevelopment or for a pub/hotel operator to take advantage of the potential on offer, says agent Tim Gooding of Christie & Co in Ipswich.

Mr Gooding said; “The Great White Horse Hotel is one of the best known properties in the town centre and given its location, we believe that there will be strong interest from developers and potential operators alike.”

An asking price of £2,000,000 is being sought for the freehold interest of the Great White Horse Hotel, and the vendors would also consider leasehold offers and other proposals from interested parties, he added.

Famous former customers of the hotel include Charles Dickens, who subsequently wrote about it in Pickwick Papers, Lord Nelson and Lord and Lady Hamilton and, more recently, Edward VIII after his abdication.

French King Louis XVIII also stopped off for refreshments at the hotel on his way to Norwich.

Many performers at the Ipswich town centre theatres have also stayed at the hotel over the years, including Noddy Holder and Slade.