Stafford's historic Post House for sale for £1.5m

The 18th-century Post House was most recently a bar but has not been used for the last year.

New owners are now being sought to breathe new life into the landmark building on Greengate Street - but will have to part with a six-figure sum to get hold of the property.

The Apothecary bar was previously housed in the building but closed suddenly after only a year last January, leaving the site facing an uncertain future.

The building, which is opposite Stafford Borough Council House, is being advertised by property firm Northwood which says it has recently undergone a £5 million refurbishment.

Property developers could be among those interested as the description states it would be suitable to be converted into luxury apartments. The building also holds a licence to host weddings.

The Post House was once occupied by William Chetwynd, Third Viscount Chetwynd, the former MP for Stafford whose family has close ties to the town. Many locals will know the building as the former post office, which it was used for throughout most of the 20th century. It then became a bar and restaurant in 2011.

Town centre councillor Christine Baron said she would not support the building being turned into apartments.

She said: "It is such a shame what has happened to it because it's a lovely building. When it was originally changed from the post office to the Post House they kept a lot of its original features which was rather nice.

"It needs to be used for something commercial. We certainly don't need any more apartments, we have got enough going up around the town centre and I don't think there is enough parking anyway for it to be flats."

The building was built in the early 1700s and named after its first owner, the long-serving 18th century MP William Chetwynd.