ANOTHER pub company has quelled speculation that it has bought a former Wetherspoon branch in the Bradford district. 

As reported by the Telegraph & Argus over the weekend, The Sir Norman Rae, on Market Square in Shipley, shut for good on Sunday.

JD Wetherspoon previously said it had sold the venue as part of a "commercial decision" - but would not disclose the buyer. 

Speculation had been building on social media that pub chain Greene King had bought it. 

But a Greene King spokesperson told the Telegraph & Argus today: "Greene King has not acquired the site."

Greene King's statement comes after Black Star Pubs, which recently acquired The Percy Shaw in Halifax - another former Wetherspoon boozer - also confirmed to the Telegraph & Argus that it had not bought the Shipley town centre venue. 

Speaking before The Sir Norman Rae shut, Liam Singh, who was manager, said: "A lot of our customers are sad it's closing - it's the end of an era.

"A lot of people love coming here and the staff enjoy looking after them.

"It is a shame the pub is closing - it's been such a long-standing part of the Shipley community for so long."