Community unites against plans to turn Bedworth pub into supermarket

[dutchman]

Hundreds of people have signed a petition to stop a Bedworth pub from being turned into a supermarket.



They have united against the plans to transform the Cross Keys pub on the corner of Goodyers End Lane and Bowling Green Lane into a new Co-op and another smaller unit.

Angry residents and local traders say that the pub is the only one left standing in the area and, contrary to claims made, it is a focal point for the community.

Jas Singh, who runs Sedgies newsagents in nearby Heath Road, said that the petition has around 400 signatures and they hope to get a few more before they hand it into Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

"The whole community is against this, we don't need a new supermarket," he said.

"In losing the pub, they are taking something away from the community, this is the only pub left in the area, all of the others have been turned into supermarkets or businesses."

He added that there are also concerns about the traffic that the store could bring to the school, Goodyers End Primary.

"The school is only 50 yards away, the road already bottlenecks at peak times and the supermarket will only make it worse."

As featured in the News, the borough council received a planning application for the demolition of public house and erection of one retail unit, Class use A1), namely a Co-op, and one unit, Class use A1, A2, A3, A4 or A5.

In the application report, it stated that the watering hole has been on the market for six months but there has been no takers for it to continue as a public house.

But Singh said: "Not even the tenant that currently runs the pub knew it was for sale, they had not spent one penny on it for years, it is like they have brought it to its knees on purpose."

And he added that claims that the pub has become a magnet for trouble are untrue.

"I've been here for six years and other people have been in the area for ten to 12 years and they say that there was a problem 20 years ago but not now," he said.

"If they take the pub away, there will be nowhere for people to socialise in the community, everything will be gone."

maybe ten to 12 years ago, there was a problem but so many people have said that

In the design and access statement submitted to the Town Hall, it says: "The proposed commercial development will provide supporting facilities to the community. Its location close to the school, within walking distance of residential properties and in close proximity to other community facilities, i.e, petrol station, vets, newsagents) creates an ideal location for a local store, which can support the needs of the local community."

It is understood that the Co-op convenience store would be open between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week.

A decision is expected to be made on whether the plan gets the go-ahead or not by December 8.