THE owners of a popular Bradford district pub are seeking to sell it off.

Yesterday JD Wetherspoon announced it is getting rid of 11 boozers around the UK, including Shipley's The Sir Norman Rae.

This news comes one year after the company put 32 pubs up for sale, many of which have now closed.

The company has confirmed the Market Square venue will remain open until its sale.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “ We can confirm that The Sir Norman Rae pub in Shipley has been put on the market by Wetherspoon.

“This is a commercial decision taken by the company.

“We appreciate that customers and staff will be disappointed with the news.

“The pub will remain open pending its sale.”

BRE and Savills have been jointly appointed by the business to handle the sale of a new portfolio of public houses.

On Savills website, the pub, on Market Square in Shipley, is described as having a "high standard of fit out".

It adds: "The Sir Norman Rae comprises a single-storey end terrace building with a curved frontage beneath varying flat roofs.

"Ground Floor: Trading accommodation with bar servery and seating on a mix of loose tables and chairs for approximately 200 covers.

"Ancillary accommodation includes trade kitchen and disabled WC's."

Also included on the list of Wetherspoons up for the chop is The White Hart in Todmorden, joining Halifax's The Percy Shaw which is yet to yield a sale following 12 months on the market.

A full statement from the pub company read: "Wetherspoon confirms that it has decided to sell 11 of its 822 pubs which it has put on the market through property agents, Savills and CBRE.

"The pubs are mainly freehold properties with one leasehold property.

"The pubs will remain open pending their sale.

"Wetherspoon is continuing to invest in its business and has recently reopened The Square Peg in Birmingham and The Lord Palmerston in Southsea, after a major refurbishment, costing approximately £1.5 million.

"The company is also currently redeveloping and extending pubs in Wakefield, central Cardiff and central Glasgow at a total cost of approximately £8 million.

"The company is also proceeding with plans for a number of new pubs and hotels as well as major upgrades to existing pubs involving a total investment of around £100 million."