Last orders may be called at a village pub after 175 years.

The Stag Inn at St Cleer has been up for sale for the past 18 months at £325,000 – but now it has been suggested its use may be changed to residential.

And it has been stated that the inn will be closing down ‘within the next couple of months’.

The owners sought pre-application advice from Cornwall Council planners about changing its use to residential.

Agents Andrew Thomas Architectural Consultants, based at Widegates, say options being investigated include converting the pub into up to three residential units and, depending on rights of way investigations, building a dwelling in the pub car park.

The agents say the business is going to be closed ‘within the next couple of months due to lack of support’.

In a viability assessment, the agents say the pub has been affected by a range of issues including the smoking ban and drink-driving laws, and changing social habits and lifestyles.

Cornwall Council said the housing proposal would be feasible if a study showed the business was no longer feasible.

A sign at the pub this week said: ‘The Stag Inn will be closed for the remainder of the month due to urgent business commitments north of the Tamar. This closure may extend into July.

‘We apologise to our loyal customers for any inconvenience caused and hope to see you again once these matters are concluded.’

Truro-based Miller Commercial’s sales particulars for the Stag note: ‘There has been a public house on this site for nearly 175 years and it has been in our clients’ tenure since May 2015, who are now selling due to relocation away from the area.’

Graham Timmins, of Miller Commercial, told the Cornish Times: ‘We continue to be instructed to sell the Stag Inn as a going concern.’