A POPULAR bar and snooker venue in Ely has been put up for sale this week.

Deans, in Newnham Street, is on the market for a guide price of £395,000.

Nadine Smith, owner of Deans, said: “I will be sorry to leave Deans after 29 years. However, I’m now a grandmother and I feel the need to retire, as my family now takes more of a priority than my business life.

“Despite the recession, Deans is still a very good business with plenty of scope to develop the events and functions, especially with the introduction of a catering offering.

“It remains unaffected and we will continue to take new bookings and honour all existing ones. In the meantime, it’s business as usual and I am sure Deans will prove to be a lovely business for its new owners who may do another 29 years too.”

Deans was originally a cinema before becoming a snooker club and, latterly, a bar and snooker venue. It also offers catering for functions, events and parties.

John Grace, associate director at Christie + Co, which is handling this sale, said: “Deans has been owned and operated by our client since 1984 and has adapted to the changing needs and demands of its customers. It previously traded as a snooker/pool facility, but was transformed into a growing function, events venue and bar business.”