Richard ParrNational pub chain JD Wetherspoon has confirmed it has exchanged contracts in its purchase of one of Dereham's biggest hotels.And a spokesman for the chain of pubs, which sells beer and food at low prices, says that it is likely that the name of the Phoenix will be retained when it takes over the Phoenix Hotel in Church Street.Richard Parr

National pub chain JD Wetherspoon has confirmed it has exchanged contracts in its purchase of one of Dereham's biggest hotels.

And a spokesman for the chain of pubs, which sells beer and food at low prices, says that it is likely that the name of the Phoenix will be retained when it takes over the Phoenix Hotel in Church Street.

The company is now waiting to reach the completion stage in the buying process of the extensive property which has more than 20 bedrooms.

It is likely that once it officially becomes the owner, Wetherspoon, will close the hotel until it starts conversion work to suit its new role as a pub.

Wetherspoon, which has more than 750 pubs across the country and employs more than 20,000 staff, is known for acquiring large buildings and hotels and carrying out structural alterations to create one large ground floor bar. A decision about the Dereham property continuing to offer accommodation is yet to be made.

Company spokesman Eddie Gershon said that it was well-known that it had been looking at site in Dereham for some time and it is likely that the name the Phoenix would be retained.

Mr Gershon could give no timings of when the Dereham premises would be re-opened and trading as a Wetherspoon pub .

The company has also confirmed that it has identified a site in Fakenham but has denied it was the town centre Crown Hotel which has stood empty for about a year.