A riverside pub that has stood in a state of disrepair for the last year finally has a new owner. 

According to the property sales and lettings website Rightmove, The Jolly Anglers has been sold prior to auction. 

The pub, which sits on the River Kennet, is thought to have been snapped up for around £410,000. 

Since news of this broke on social media, members of the public have been sharing their excitement at the prospect of the pub reopening. 

One person said "Hope it opens soon. I am sure under the right management it will be a Reading icon."

In agreement with the previous comment, another person said "As a Woodley bloke I only knew this pub existed a couple of years ago. Hopefully, it opens again. I never got round to having a pint in there."

A further person wrote, "Let's hope somebody takes it on."

Many other residents took to Facebook to share fond memories of times that they spent in The Jolly Anglers. 

One person wrote "I used to go there in the early 2000s to have a drink or two at lunchtime as I worked in Suttons business park."

Another person said, "Used to fish outside the anglers, always had a pint or two after a day on the bank."

A further person wrote "So many memories! Always involved large amounts of alcohol. Some cracking nights and friends long forgotten!"

This reporter visited The Jolly Anglers last week to see what sort of state it was in prior to a new owner taking over. 

Upon entering the pub, it is obvious how much has been stripped away by the previous landlord. 

All that is left in the downstairs area is the reminiscence of the bar with a few remaining taps, a pool table, and some abandoned artwork. 

Parts of the walls and ceiling have also been torn away to reveal patches of mold. 

The window that looks out onto the riverfront is wide and bright. A new owner would benefit during the warmer months regarding the indoor/outdoor feel. 

The toilets display much of the same wear and tear that the rest of the pub does, with dark markings on the wall and dust everywhere. 

The upstairs, which is most likely used as the living quarters of anyone wishing to take over The Jolly Anglers, is also completely threadbare. 

The rooms have no carpet, painted walls, and even no floorboards in some places. 

However, it is expansive so whoever does take it over can enjoy a large living space.