A NEW owner is being sought for an historic Quantock Hills public house where the past seven landlords have all either gone bust, lost money, or left debts behind them.

All seven tried and failed during the past 16 years to make a go of the Blue Ball Inn, Triscombe, which has been a pub for more than 400 years.

Now, owner Grant Fowler has put the property on the market for sale at £650,000 freehold or to lease for £50,000 a year.

The move follows a planning scandal last year when permission for Mr Fowler to convert the pub into Sleeps 12 holiday accommodation was quashed in the High Court.

The permission was given by former Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) planning chairman Cllr Simon Coles without sending Mr Fowler’s application to a committee for councillors to debate and vote on it.

SWT was abolished in April last year and the planning application was brought back before the new unitary Somerset Council’s planning committee, also chaired by Cllr Coles.

It was recommended for refusal the second time around, but Mr Fowler withdrew the application before the committee could consider it.

Now, the Blue Ball is being marketed by Fleurets Ltd, chartered surveyors working exclusively in the leisure property sector.

Fleurets agent Nick Fisher said a new owner would need to make a fresh licensing application to Somerset Council.

Mr Fisher said the pub was a former 18th century stable block built of stone with part oak-clad elevations under a pitched thatched roof.

Next to it was a two-storey thatched cottage which had been converted to provide letting accommodation.

The pub’s former skittle alley had been converted to a function space with dedicated servery, and there was also a single-storey brick storage block with thatched roof on the half-acre site.

Mr Fisher said the premises were currently vacant, having previously traded as a destination food-led pub with letting rooms.

He said: “Given the location in the Quantock Hills, there is potential to attract walkers and cyclists all year round, and the cosy interiors and peaceful pub gardens create an inviting destination for guests.

“The converted skittle alley provides a private hire space for events and the letting accommodation adds further scope to build a strong business with multiple income streams.”

To the rear of the pub and in front of the cottage was a garden which could accommodate tables and seating for up to 100 customers.

There was a large wooden servery at the heart of the first floor space with seating areas at either end of the building at loose wooden tables, chairs, and benches for about 80 customers, with a large fireplace at the rear.

Mr Fisher said: “The trading areas retain plenty of the building's original charm with exposed oak beams and roof supports, part exposed stone walls, and part wood-panelled walls.”

The detached cottage was divided into three letting properties, and the former skittle alley opened onto the beer garden to create an ideal venue for private events.