The Anchor Inn, on the outskirts of Dedham village in Essex, was sold on behalf of Geoff Clarkson to Philip Hoy for an undisclosed figure from an asking price of £275,000. This is a first time freehouse purchase for the new owner, who is a local man. The historic village of Dedham lies within Dedham Vale, surrounded by the pastoral landscape immortalised by the 19th-century painter John Constable. The Anchor building was recorded as an alehouse as early as 1769. The two-storey property is of brick and timber construction and comprises lounge bar, games room, restaurant and three-bedroom private accommodation. It stands in a large plot with car park, mature beer garden and paddock. Since taking over the Anchor Inn in 1997, Geoff Clarkson completely refurbished the trading areas and added a new beer cellar. The division of trade is currently 50% bar trade to 50% food trade. The inn's clientele includes customers from Colchester and Ipswich and well as local residents and tourists. Christie's Bill Colquhoun comments: "Needless to say, being a freehold freehouse in a world-famous tourist location, the Anchor Inn attracted significant interest from prospective purchasers and a competitive bidding situation quickly arose.
