A 15th century pub has finally been sold after standing empty for years.

The Sugar Loaves Pub in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, was included in an auction on October 15 with a guide price of £180,000 but did not sell.

Sible Hedingham Parish Council had been due to consider if the grade 11 listed building could be bought for the village at its meeting on November 12 but was pipped to the post when the building was sold after the auction.

Parish council chairman Gill Massey said: “We understand it went through at a fairly low price and if we had been quicker we might have been able to acquire it but as far as we are aware the sale is going through.”

Speaking about future opportunities she said: “Our minds are open, we are considering putting together a business plan to see whether a community building would be viable.”

She said the community centre could be used for clubs, exhibitions and meetings and as a place for youngsters.

It is likely the parish council would also move there if it were to go ahead, she added.

No one from Allsop, the company which hosted the auction on October 15, was able to comment on what the building might be used for.

The auction documents said the property may lend itself to alternative uses if proper consent was given.

The pub includes a saloon bar, public bar, pool room, kitchen and toilets on the ground floor.

There are five first floor bedrooms with a large car park, beer garden and patio.