Colchester's Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie is up for sale

The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie, at 75 East Street, has been listed on Rightmove by commercial property consultancy firm, Everard Cole.

A major part of the city’s history, the property dates back to the 15th century and is well-known for being a location affected by The Siege of Colchester in 1648.

Inside - a section of the ground floor dining space (Image: Everard Cole)

Key features include being a ten-minute walk into the city centre as well as having two trading floors, a private two-bedroom flat, an enclosed patio garden and open fireplace.

It also has exposed wooden beams, oak panels and stained glass windows across the two floors.

The historic property is available freehold, and the business is seeking offers in the region of £800,000.

The sale would include all trade fixtures and fittings.

Business - the bar counter area in The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie (Image: Everard Cole)

Castle Ward councillor and Colchester Sixth Form history teacher, Mark Goacher, said he would like to see something that "enhances the character and history of the building".

He said: “It is an incredibly historic building. I hope whoever buys it respects it. It still has gunshots in it from the civil war.

Spacious - another seating area at the The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie (Image: Everard Cole)

“I know it has been a restaurant in the past, that would be nice if it was a traditional restaurant or pub, but the most important thing is that its history and character is respected.

“My personal thoughts, I would be up for it to be turned into a civil war museum, it is something that Colchester needs, we teach about the siege at the Sixth Form College."

Everard Cole said the listing is a "fantastic opportunity for an experienced operator" who can "significantly take it to the next level".

Cosy - the outside patio area (Image: Everard Cole)

Anyone interested with further questions is advised to contact gareth@everardcole.co.uk.

The Gazette contacted The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie for a comment.

What is the history of The Old Siege House?

376 years on from The Siege of Colchester, the building still shows the impact marks left by cannon fire and musket balls.

The timber frame of the west side and south front of the building contains many bullet holes from the fighting during The Siege of Colchester between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians during the reign of Charles I.

One morning early in July 1648, the Royalists came down East Hill making a surprise attack on the Parliamentary soldiers who were inside the building.

Now, customers at the The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie are able to gaze in wonder at the musket ball marks that have been circled in red.