One of the Island's oldest bar and restaurants, The White Horse Tavern on St. George's Square, is up for sale by owner and St. George's Chamber of Commerce Chairman Christopher West.

Mr. West has owned the tavern for seven years. Earlier this year he opened up a second bar in the town, 'Beach It' on the beach at Fort St. Catherine.

It is not clear why the tavern is for sale and Mr. West did not want to comment on the matter yesterday.

The old town of St. George's is experiencing a new lease of life following last years awarding of the World Heritage Status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and there are plans for a waterfront promenade to be built from the White Horse Tavern to Penno's Wharf, which is expected to be finished at the end of this year.

The White Horse has been welcoming guests since 1709 after John Dickinson constructed the first building on the site.

The location was used for a variety of businesses such as a merchants and pharmacists, and has belonged to at least seven owners.

The modern White Horse Tavern has been serving intoxicants since the great depression and US prohibition after William Frith purchased the property in 1929 and converted it into a bar and hotel which opened in 1930.

It was renovated in the 1960s and again in the 1980s when an extension was made into the harbour.

Mr. West has been the sole owner of the bar since 1994 and had hoped that St. George's would be made more tourist friendly by encouraging use of the wharf and creating shaded space in the town square for visitors to relax.