The controversial Kilt 'n Claymore pub property in Walmer, Port Elizabeth, has been sold and is going to become a car dealership.

The buyer has also purchased the adjacent property on the corner of Heugh Road and Alistair Miller Drive.

The Heugh Road property, which went on sale four months ago, was sold by the Warren Jack property group.

Principal Warren Jack said there had been "tremendous interest in the property, especially to open up the same sort of concept".

He said the pub's owner, Eddie Falconer, initially put a sign up to lease it as an upmarket restaurant for R12,000 a month. However, when Falconer was made an offer for the property, he decided to sell it.

Jack said Falconer was "looking for R2-million" and sold the property for R1,5-million.

He could not reveal the name of the buyer or the car dealership to be built there.

The High Court ruled at the beginning of 2004 that Falconer was running the pub illegally because it was flouting its municipal rezoning conditions. It then was decided that it should be closed.

Eastern Province Herald