A former pub for sale has had its asking price slashed by a quarter of million pounds in a fresh bid to secure a buyer.

The Dukes Head on Dymchurch Road in Hythe went up for sale in April with an on-application guide price of £1 million.

Now, London-based estate agents Alex Neil have posted a new asking price online of £750,000, which is £250,000 less than when it first went on the market six months ago.

A spokesman for Alex Neil estate agents said: “The price reduction was made in a bid to stimulate further interest.

“There have been a number of interested parties for the opportunity, however, to date no offers have been accepted subject to contract and our marketing efforts continue.

“As this is a development opportunity, potential buyers will have different ideas and concepts for how the finished project could manifest.

“With that in mind we remind any potential buyers that any plan and offer submitted would be subject to contract and requiring the appropriate planning consents.”

The dilapidated pub, which dates back to the early 19th Century, was in operation until 2016.

It is advertised as a freehold property with the potential to “convert the existing buildings into a multiple mixed unit residential development” or “considered as mixed use development, all subject to planning permission”.

This means any proposed future development would have to be in keeping with some of the building’s original features, limiting its scope for transformation.

"There have been a number of interested parties for the opportunity, however, to date no offers have been accepted subject to contract" - Alex Neil estate agents

However, the site has potential for uses such as apartments, a bar or café and suitable applications would be considered by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).

The venue is deemed historically important and was first listed as a Grade II property in 1950.

In 2014, when it was still a pub, an application to turn the site into three properties, as well as to convert the barn into another, while erecting a two storey block of self contained flats was refused.

The decision was on the grounds that it “would result in the loss of an existing social and community facility and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated in the application that there is no longer a need for the facility and that it is unsuitable for adaptation into a viable enterprise.”

At the time, one objector commented: “This pub is an asset of community value.

“Local authorities have a duty to protect a vital part of our cultural heritage.”

In February last year, FHDC granted permission for the development on the land for a roof extension and other external alterations to convert the outbuilding for residential use.

Listed building consent was also given for the alterations on the basis that work would begin within three years.