Pub’s foodstore bid sparks anger

A PROPOSED new Co-op where a pub currently stands has been met with fierce opposition.

The Midlands Co-operative Society has confirmed to The Observer this week it had struck an agreement with Marston’s to buy the Frank Whittle pub on Linden Drive in Lutterworth.

It comes after the brewery decided the pub - which opened in the 1970s as The Balloon - was no longer making enough money to keep it open.

It claimed it did not need permission to change the use of the pub which would go ahead even if the extension was refused.

That could come as a blow to people living in the area and two neighbouring shop owners said they were hopeful of blocking the plans for the extension.

Planning documents detailed just 18 car parking spaces - less than half of those at the Co-op on George Street in the town centre which is a similar size to the proposed new store if the building is extended.

And that would have been crucial to residents’ fight because in 2010 Marston’s failed to get permission for a children’s play area amid fears over an increase in traffic.

They also claimed the plans went against planning policy with regards to access along what they said was already a clogged-up road.

Wyn Jones, who runs Linden News, told us: “I’ve been in business here for less than two years and as someone who lives nearby I don’t want this eyesore here, but I’m looking at this with a logical head on.

“They (Marston’s) have spent a lot of money on this, around £15,000 I would estimate, but it will not be straight forward for them because we have some very purposeful arguments.”

A petition has been started by Jim Patel, who has run Linden Foodstores and Off Licence for 27 years.

He told us: “People are horrified. There’s been a lot of talk about the future of the pub, but a supermarket has come out of the blue. A lot of people have made their objections known.

“We don’t know exactly what effect this will have on our business, but we are like a community place here; people find out about what’s going on from us and we pass on good and bad news. We are confident people would continue to support us.”

So far over 100 people have lodged objections to the plan. Among them is John Baggaley, who lives nearby and drinks at the pub.

“We just don’t need another supermarket in Lutterworth,” he told us.

A date has yet to be set by Harborough District Council’s planning committee to consider the extension proposals.

A spokesperson for Midlands Co-operative Society said the store, should it go ahead, would be in addition to the one on George Street which it had been rumoured could close.

"Marston’s have submitted a planning application for the conversion of the premises to a convenience store and, if it is granted it is our intention to move ahead with development of the site which we believe will add value to the area and offer local people a really useful amenity," added the spokesperson.

"We pride ourselves on being a local community retailer which strives to make a real contribution to the areas in which we trade."

A spokesman for Marston's would only confirm the application had been made.

But a report written by its planning consultants on their behalf said the extension was desirable, but not essential because the existing building would be suitable.

"It can be concluded that irrespective of the retail proposals put forward, the Frank Whittle will not continue as a viable public house, but in any event significant alternative community provision exists to serve the local area."

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