A Barnard Castle pub that has been slaking thirsts for over 300 years is to close at the end of the month.

The Charles Dickens bar and adjacent coffee shop, which together make up the ground floor of the former King's Head Hotel, will shut on September 29 with a plan to incorporate them into the King's Court Care Home, which currently occupies the first floor of the building.

The two watering holes take their name from a visit by author Charles Dickens, who stayed at the King's Head in 1838 while researching his novel Nicholas Nickleby, which satirised Yorkshire boarding schools.

The pub is referred to in the novel when character Newman Noggs ends a letter with a post script saying: "If ever you should go near Barnard Castle, there is good ale at the King's Head."

Partner Tony Chisholm told the D&S Times on Tuesday he had handed out redundancy notices to nine staff last Friday, with the remaining two being offered alternative posts n the new care home.

"We have begun negotiations with Teesdale Council, through our architect, as we need to have permission for change of use," said Mr Chisholm.

He added he did not think obtaining permission would be a problem, as 85pc of the building was already a care home.

If all goes to plan he and his partners will convert the front bar into a sitting room for residents and visitors, while the back bar will become their dining room and the coffee shop a training school for care home staff. The main entrance will front onto Market Place, giving increased security. It is also proposed to increase the current number of 28 beds by a further four to six.

Mr Chisholm said the closure of the pub and coffee shop was necessary to allow for easier sale of the premises as a whole. "I am 62 now and have been looking to retire since I was 55," he said. Another partner, Joy Ash, recently gave up the reins as matron due to ill health, and third partner Martyn Tetchener would not wish to carry on alone.

"Potential buyers are put off by the idea of running a home, pub and coffee shop, even though they are all financially healthy. I think it will be easier to sell as a single concern," he added.

Asked if he thought locals would be upset at losing one of their most high profile bars, Mr Chisholm said that if he had to rely on the people of Barnard Castle to keep the pub and coffee shop going they would have closed long ago.

"Most of my custom is passing trade, with 80pc having travelled to the town," he added.

The part of the building that houses the coffee shop was built in 1680, with the part that houses the bar being rebuilt in 1774.

"Before it was the King's Head it was known as the Rose and Crown," said Mr Chisholm.

"But when the Rose and Crown was pulled down, the rebuild was right next to the coffee shop and the current archway was created. Outside was a coaching yard where stagecoaches used to stop."

Mr Chisholm said he would like to think the conversion would be done by Christmas. A provisional date for the sale of effects from the bar and coffee shop had been set for October 16 and would take place on the premises.