THE future use of an historic pub in the heart of a regeneration site is up for grabs.

The Grade ll-listed Captain Cook pub is in the shadow of Middlesbrough's landmark Transporter Bridge and once had a starring role in classic TV comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

The four-storey former boozer was built in 1893 by local architect Robert Moore, but has been empty for four years as regeneration of the wider Middlehaven area continues to take shape.

The Durham Street building has a traditional pub frontage and features such as sash windows and decorative plasterwork.

Middlesbrough Council purchased the building in 2010 as part of its wider strategy to assemble land and properties ready for redevelopment and is now looking for an investor to develop it into a commercially viable business.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “The Captain Cook is one of Middlesbrough’s most historic buildings, so it is vital that we find a use for it that reflects its heritage status and location.

“We are still keen to hear from potential tenants who have the vision to give this important part of Middlesbrough’s history the new lease of life it deserves.”

The Middlehaven Development Framework and Urban Pioneers Prospectus can be downloaded from www.middlehaven.co.uk

Tender documents can be found on the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) portal: www.qtegov.com/procontract/supplier.nsf

All tenders – including a written statement and sketch layout - must be submitted via NEPO by 4pm on Monday, September 29.