A pub is to be converted into flats just three months after hosting a party celebrating its survival from closure.

The London Unity began the year under the threat of closure in January after then landlord Allan Leach claimed owner Enterprise Inns wanted to sell the 150 year-old pub to property developers.

A campaign to save the pub in Islingword Road, Brighton, was launched and the pub’s new management held an event in June celebrating its survival.

Now just three months on, Enterprise has confirmed that the sale of the site with no restrictions on its future use should be completed by the end of the year.

A planning application submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council at the start of this month asks for permission to convert the pub into one two-bedroom home and a three-bedroom home.

The application has been made by London-based developers CIP (Hampstead) Ltd with Brighton based Archangels Architects working as their agents.

A member of staff at the pub told The Argus yesterday: “We have worked really hard through the summer but it has been really difficult with families going away on their holidays and students going back home.

“We just hope we can give the place a really good send-off for however long we have left here.

“Personally I think if someone was to buy this as a pub and they were able to bring in what beer they want and that someone was really dedicated, I have no doubt in my mind that this could be a really busy pub.”

A spokeswoman for Enterprise Inns, who also own the nearby Greys and the Geese, said: “As part of the on-going development of our pub estate, we do from time to time identify a pub that we feel no longer has a long-term future in our estate.

“After careful consideration, the decision was taken to sell the London Unity freehold, with no restrictions on future use.

“We have now exchanged contracts and the sale is expected to complete towards the end of the year.”

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