Wolverhampton pub plans to make way for Co-op and car park
A campaign has been launched to save another local pub that is one of 202 sold off in a £90 million deal.
The Harrowby Arms, Fordhouses, was sold to NewRiver Retail in late 2013, when brewer Marston's sold more than 200 of its pubs across the country as part of a £90 million buy-to-lease deal.
Under the terms of the deal Marston's will continue to run the pubs for at least four years.
It is understood the retail giant plans to bulldoze half of the Patshull Avenue pub, slashing the size of it and removing the beer garden, to make way for a new Co-op convenience store and car parking.
Bushbury North Labour councillors Ian Angus and Daniel Warren have both thrown their support behind the campaign to save it.
An online petition launched by local residents says: "We object to the absurd proposals for NewRiver Group and Marston's Brewery to knock down half of our local pub, remove the beer gardens, and build yet another unwanted supermarket in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton. Residents and businesses have not been informed or consulted about the proposals."
More than 55 people have already signed the petition, which closes on March 30.
Councillor Angus has posted a link to the petition on his Facebook page and encourages people to sign it, share the link and spread the word.
He was informed of the situation after residents who had received letters from NewRiver Retail informing them of the plans voiced their concern.
He said: "I am deeply concerned about these proposals which could damage trade for respected, independent local shopkeepers and put at risk the future of a well run community pub.
"The message from customers and local residents is very clear: "we don't want another supermarket and leave our local pub alone."
"I would like to formally invite NewRiver Retail Ltd to attend a public meeting at which they can openly present their plans and hear the views of local people.
Campaigns have also been set up to fight for the Ashmore Inn, Griffiths Drive, and Halesowen's Haden Cross Inn which face a similar fate.
The two pubs are also part of the 202 pubs sold to NewRiver, with proposals for a Co-operative store at both sites submitted to local authorities.
Campaigners are working to get the Haden Cross pub recognised as an 'asset of community value', and are concerned the proposals will kill the pub.
Martin Hughes, spokesman for NewRiver Retail, has said the proposals had been designed to help safeguard the future of the pub and similar schemes had worked well elsewhere.
The Harrowby Arms petition can be signed at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/72839
