Shifnal pub voices concerns about proposed car wash

The Plough Inn, Shifnal says it is concerned the proposals will detrimentally impact its customers.

Plans have been put forward for a car wash in the car park to the rear of Spice of Shifnal on Broadway.

But staff at the Plough have said the car park neighbours their beer garden and may damage the environment.

So far there have been a total of 23 comments on the plans, of which 22 are objections, including staff and customers at the pub and other local businesses.

Landlady of the Plough, Lana Giles, said: "The Plough is not just a pub it is a unique community where families, groups and individuals meet to socialise and enjoy each other's company.

"It would be catastrophic if anything happened to this unique place where people have formed friendships and support one another in all walks of life."

Claire Smith, manager of the Plough, said: "The neighbouring property is The Plough Inn, which is a 17th century grade II listed pub.

"The proposed car wash would be positioned directly next to the fence of the beer garden. This beer garden is extremely popular with customers, especially families looking to enjoy a meal and a drink and somewhere enclosed and safe where their children can play outside.

"Imagine sitting down to enjoy a drink or a meal and then being confronted with the noise, spray and smells from a car wash right up against this fence, inches away from your table. This would totally ruin the lovely environment this beer garden has to offer. This would most definitely have an adverse effect on the business of this pub, which employs around 20 local people.

"The Plough is a family business which has been built up over several years and the potential effects of a car wash next door put the continuation of this business in jeopardy.

"In addition to this, the cars queuing up to use the car wash would have to access it via Tudor Way, which already has limited parking for both residents and existing local business users.

"It is also relevant that while the car wash itself is not proposed to be situated on the site of a listed building, the Plough next door is grade II listed and the whole site is within a conservation area.

"It would be a great shame were this application to be granted as it would cause a number of issues with local businesses and residents in the surrounding area."

Debbie Pierce added: " I am a business owner in Shifnal and this is very close to my property.

"Thee extra traffic that this will create in an already overpopulated highway will cause disruption."

The plans were submitted on March 2 and will be decided in the coming months.