OWNERS have called last orders on a popular West Kirby pub.

The Dee Hotel, on Grange Road, is one of 34 being sold by JD Wetherspoon.

The properties, which are being considered for sale as either a portfolio, in small packages or individually, are located in strong town and city centres across England, Scotland and Wales.

A spokesman for Wetherspoon said the units are generating total sales of in excess of £38 million, with an average weekly turnover per pub of more than £22,000 per week.

Regulars of the Dee Hotel contacted the Globe with concerns over its future, including whether the bar will be open to non-residents if it is sold to a hotel company, and the safety of jobs.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said staff at the pub – which went on the market on Friday – will be offered jobs at other Wetherspoon pubs or can stay with the new owners if the pub is sold.

“We understand that customers at the pub will be disappointed with our decision,” said Mr Gershon

“However, we have made a commercial decision to sell a number of pubs and The Dee Hotel is one of them.

“The pub will remain as a Wetherspoon until it is sold.”

Speaking about the sale of 34 pubs, Paul Breen, senior director at CBRE’s specialist markets team – appointed to dispose of the sites - said: “The portfolio represents a rare opportunity to acquire substantial high volume businesses which have seen sales growth in each of the last five years. 

“Food sales represent more than a third of total sales, having increased by 40% over this period, which makes the pubs ideally positioned to benefit from the continued growth in eating outside of the home.  We anticipate strong interest from existing operators and new entrants keen to create a platform which can be used to build a successful managed estate.”

The 34 properties are in addition to the 20 units that were put onto the market by JD Wetherspoon earlier this year.