The Winchester office of leading licensed property agents, Christie & Co, is seeking a new lessee for the Hop Leaf public house (formerly McCarthy's Bar)at 21 Church Street in Basingstoke town centre, Hampshire.

Enterprise Inns, which owns the freehold, has invested close to £240,000 refurbishing the pub, which is now ready for occupation.

The public house is prominently located on pedestrianised Church Street in the centre of Basingstoke, which is located just off junction 6 of the M3 linking London with the south coast.

Records show that the inn was trading in the early 18th Century and was originally called the Black Boy (its sign is now in the Willis Museum).

It later became the Hop Leaf, a name which is now being revived by Enterprise Inns.

The property was originally timber-framed and retains a carved wooden fire surround dating from around 1600.

The terraced, two-storey property briefly comprises an open plan 50-cover public bar and dining area on the ground floor, a 50-cover function room on the first floor, three-bedroom owner's accommodation and a small rear courtyard.

Keith Goodwin of Christie & Co said: "It is expected that the Hop Leaf will trade as a 'town centre tavern' style of operation with potential to develop a good food trade. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a comprehensively refurbished leasehold public house in the centre of Basingstoke, and an internal inspection is highly recommended to appreciate the character, quality and condition of the property.

Christie & Co is offering a brand new lease on the Hop Leaf; the annual rent will commence at £25,000 rising to £35,000.

Christie & Co will be holding an open house viewing morning at the property on Thursday, August 29 from 9.30am to 11.30am.