Locals fight to save Sedgley pub

More than 300 people have signed a petition calling on Marston's to keep The Seven Stars in Gospel End Road open.

Campaigners have put the petition forms in shops in the village after hearing that the brewery and pubs group was on the point of selling it to Morrisons.

They are also urging regulars and people who use it to e-mail Marston's objecting to the loss of The Seven Stars.

The former Banks's pub has undergone a series of refurbishments in recent years. It is now a one-room pub with the former back bar converted into a dining space.

Marston's have issued a statement confirming that they have been approached about selling it.

"We have been approached by Morrisons with a view to it acquiring The Seven Stars," a statement said. "These discussions are at an exploratory stage and we do not expect to make any formal planning application, if appropriate, for at least four to six weeks.

"We will keep the local residents informed as any further information or proposal become available."

Joy Bills, aged 55, of Woodbank Road, Brownswall estate, said she and other Seven Stars regulars had got together to campaign to keep it open.

"I have been going in the Stars for 30 years. We don't want to lose it - it is a community pub for everyone. The quiz on Sundays is really popular and there are a lot of elderly regulars who go in. It is a nice crowd and there is never any trouble," said mother-of-two Mrs Bills.

"We have got more than 300 names on the petition we have had in the shops in Sedgley and in Brownswall Road. We are looking at having a meeting on August 12 to let everyone have their say," she added.

Morrisons bought the former Safeway store site in High Holborn, Sedgley, a few year ago but had to sell it to the Co-op because it was considered to be too close to its major store at Bilston.

*A charity summer fete is being held at the pub, managed by Richard and Sandy Rowse, on Saturday from 1pm in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.