An open again, closed again St. George?s watering hole has reopened ? again, with tighter security and entry policy that demands smart casual dress and picture identification to prove customers are over age 25.

However, owner Alan Powell says that Freddie?s Pub on the Square and its upstairs restaurant may only be open for the short-term if he gets the $2.1 million dollar offer he is looking for in order to sell the entire building which houses a restaurant on the upper floor as well as the pub, an ice cream/hot dog concession and retail outlet on the lower floor.

?The building has been on the market for over a year and I just want to do something else,? he said. ?If I get the right price, I get the right price. If I don?t, it is business as usual.?

Mr. Powell says that his decision to put the 3,760 square foot commercially zoned property in the centre of King?s Square, St. George?s on the market is not related to the violence problems that have plagued the pub over the past few years.

?I have been in industry all my life and I?m coming up to 50,? he said. ?It?s time to give someone else the chance to take it on and enjoy a little bit more of my life.?

Mr. Powell said that there has been quite a a lot of interest in the pub/resturant which currently employs a staff of 12. Despite the numerous rumours that are circulating that the property has already been sold to a group of established restauranteurs, Mr. Powell said yesterday he has not received a cheque from anyone.