Future of Shrewsbury pub hangs in the balance

Planning officers at Shropshire Council have claimed the Anchor pub in Gloucester Road in Harlescott, Shrewsbury, is not viable in the long term and would not be a loss to the area.

They have backed plans by Wrekin Housing Trust to demolish the pub and build six homes and a block of nine flats in its place ahead of a meeting of the authority's central planning committee on Thursday.

It comes despite 220 people signing a petition calling for the pub, which was built in 1962, to be spared. Five further letters have been sent to the council claiming demolishing a family friendly pub would be "unacceptable" and that building more homes could cause an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Landlords Mark Archer and Beverley Guest, who took over the running of the pub six months ago, have previously said the first they knew of the proposed demolition was a site notice that appeared stating that Wrekin Housing Trust had applied to Shropshire Council for the demolition of the pub and the building of the affordable housing and flats.

The pub is part of a block which includes a shop and post office.

But in a report to councillors ahead of Thursday's meeting, planning officer Tim Rogers said an assessment had been carried out which had deemed the pub needed significant refurbishment to cater for community groups and was unlikely to attract passing trade due to its location.

He added other pubs nearby included the Harry Hotspur, in Little Harlescott Lane, and the Steam Wagon, in Mount Pleasant Road.

Mr Rogers said: "The information submitted demonstrates that the Anchor Inn is not viable over the long term due to the availability and offer of alternative pubs within a reasonable walking distance or accessible on public transport - namely the Harry Hotspur and the Steam Wagon.

"Other reasons include the state of repair and requirement for refurbishment in order to cater for different groups, the limited potential for passing trade due to its location within a housing estate and failure to diversify due to local constraints."

"While the proposal would result in the loss of a community facility, it is not the only community facility in the immediate locality - there is a shop and post office with permission to use part of the premises as a hot food takeaway. It would therefore not reduce the community's ability to meet its day to day needs or have a significant adverse impact on the quality of life of the current population or future residents of the immediate or surrounding areas."

A decision is due to be made at Thursday's meeting at Shirehall in Shrewsbury, which will start at 2pm.