One of the oldest pubs and most lively music venues in Ipswich could be refurbished as a real ale tavern.

The Spread Eagle shut its doors last month as its landlady, Sheryl Meshirer, pulled her last pint before moving to New York.

A spokesman from Elizabeth Holdings Ltd, which owns the property, said they were in talks with a Norfolk brewery and that it was likely to be back open in two to three months.

He said: “We are in negotiation with them to take over the pub and they will be refurbishing it.”

The spokesman said there was a possibility that the pub would be transformed into a real ale pub, adding: “They are keen to promote their beers.”

He said they were at the stage where their solicitors were in discussion.

Webby, who runs Ipswich Jam Nights and helped Ms Meshirer make contact with bands in the area, said he would be disappointed if it was no longer a gig venue.

However, he added: “Although we have lost some venues there are other venues about – we still have got The Plough and The Mulberry Tree.

“It’s still not great, we always want more. It’s a Catch 22 situation what we have got now – we have got an immense amount of talented musicians around but the audience just isn’t happening.

“We need a couple more facilities but it is audience that we are lacking. If the audiences are there then the facilities will follow.”

The Spread Eagle is the sole survivor of four pubs which once stood at the Fore Street/Rope Walk/Lower Orwell Street junction.