BIDDERS will be hoping for success as a former Okehampton town centre pub goes under the hammer in November.

The Exeter Arms, which closed in August 2013, is among 16 lots listed for sale by regional land and property auctioneers Clive Emson. With a freehold guide price of £140,000 to £160,000, interest is expected from developers looking to change the building.

In August, West Devon Borough Council granted permission to turn the pub into a shop and three residential flats.

Under the plans, the front of the pub can be turned into a shop, in an effort to keep the frontage on East Street commercial.

Though the town will still be left with six public houses open — the White Hart, the King's Arms, the Pretoria Vaults, the Plymouth Inn, the London Inn, and the Fountain Inn — Okehampton Town Council objected to the development due to the loss of an amenity for the town.

Speaking at the planning meeting in August when the decision was made, Cllr Tony Leech said: 'The Exeter Arms had a good clientele, and it was used by numerous sports clubs as a place to meet up.

'It is and should still be an amenity to the town. Two years before it closed, the whole pub was refurbished.

'The landlord at the time must have had long term plans to run it as a pub, and saw it as economically viable.

'From a planning perspective it is extremely difficult to say anything against the development. But it will be a loss.

'I know the town would prefer to see it remain as a public house.'

Scott Gray, auctioneer and regular on BBC's Homes Under The Hammer, said: 'This well known former pub is in a great location in the town centre.

'It already benefits from planning consent for a ground floor retail unit and three self-contained flats, each with two bedrooms and the use of a communal garden and parking area.

'We are expecting keen interest from builders and developers who may also envisage alternative schemes subject to the necessary consents being gained.'

The property will go under the hammer at St Mellion on November 6.