Deals of the year

Agents look back at some of the biggest and most interesting deals from the past 12 months

GA Select

Deal: The Marquess of Exeter in Rutland was sold for £1.2m. "On the day of completion, the vendor removed a settee from the hotel, not knowing that it was on the inventory, and the purchaser refused to complete until it was returned. However, our client could not return it for a week, so we negotiated a deal whereby the purchaser kept a horse belonging to the vendor "hostage" until the settee was returned."

Fleurets

Deal: The acquisition of 290 former Spirit Group pubs by Orchid pub

company. Fleurets director Yaser Martini said: "In terms of size alone, this sale would represent not only Fleurets'

biggest deal, but also the biggest deal brokered by any agent in the trade this year - reported at £571m. We also sold the Warrington Hotel to Gordon Ramsay Holdings. The guide price was £4.5m but it sold significantly in excess of this."

Sidney Phillips

Deal: The Royal York hotel in Blackpool sold in excess of its £1.25m guide price. John Williams said: "The 66-en suite bedroom property, a large landmark

hotel on Blackpool's popular sea front, was sold to David and Susan Johnstone who own the 120-bedroom Tiffany's Hotel a few doors up. As well as 66

bedrooms, the hotel has two

restaurants, a bar and a function room."

Christie+Co

Deal: A spokesperson said: "The Retro Bar in Hull was sold from an asking price of £595,000 for a free-of-tie 60-year lease, which commenced in 2000. I believe this was the most expensive lease sold in 2006 through Christie+Co. In terms of big freehold deals, acting on behalf of the Spirit Group, Christie+Co sold the Plough & Horses freehouse in Cove, near Farnborough, Hampshire, to brewers Shepherd Neame from an

asking price of £2m. Our Bristol Office will end the year with an impressive list of high-value freehouse completions, with the buyers being mainly

independent operators and often local people. Several pubs have been sold or are under offer in the price range of £800,000 to £1.25m."

Guy Simmonds

Deal: Managing director Stephen Taylor said: "One of the most satisfying and unusual transactions we conducted in 2006 was the sale of the Olde Yew Tree Inn at South Wingfield, Derbyshire. Both the vendors and the purchasers were personally known to us and the vendors had the choice of selling to the private purchasers or to one of the major

operating companies. They chose the private purchasers because of their ambitious nature, desire to succeed and to ensure the business remained under private ownership. The freehold

freehouse sold at full asking price, a very reasonable £575,000."