OWNERS of the Sportmans pub are still looking for a buyer for the site.

Back in August we exclusively revealed how Enterprise Inns intends to sell off the Whitby Road premises, which is believed to have been trading for nearly two centuries.

But rumours in the town that the pub had already closed after people had seen it shut during the day have been dismissed.

Enterprise Inns spokeswoman Vicky Averis said: “The pub is not closed, it just opens in the evening. The pub is still up for sale on the open market.”

Nearly 200 people have signed a petition as part of a campaign to save the pub.

Spearheading the fight is Ellesmere Port resident Chris Hayes who has been a regular there for 20 years.

He fears the site will be sold to property developers and used for housing, and has vowed to fight any such proposal as he reckons losing The Sportsmans would be an “injustice” to the local community.

Mr Hayes has sent a file to Enterprise Inns which contains a copy of the petition, newspaper articles and Buzz magazine to show all the bands that the pub has to offer.

He will also be handing in a copy to the borough council to show the level of interest from Ellesmere Port people in keeping the site as a pub rather than an alternative development which would require planning permission in the future.