A WIRRAL pub is to close its doors this weekend after the premises were sold.

The John Masefield, on New Chester Road in New Ferry, was one of 40 owned by Wetherspoons across the UK and Scotland that were put up for sale.

It will close on Sunday (June 18).

Chairman of the pub chain Tim Martin confirmed in January that the decision to sell the pubs was due to rising costs in food and energy and a lack of staff.

The sales were handled by commercial property specialists CBRE and Savills.

No details of the John Masefield premises' new owner or what the building will become have been given. 

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told the Globe today: "We can confirm that Wetherspoon has exchanged on the sale of The John Masefield in New Ferry.

“The pub’s final day of trading will be Sunday, June 18.

“There will be no redundancies. All staff have been offered jobs within the company.

“We thank our staff and customers for their hard work and custom over the years.”