Village 'could lose its two pubs'

6:59pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

A VILLAGER has expressed fears that Creech St Michael could be left without a pub.

The Bell Inn shut suddenly last month and the owners are unsure whether they will reopen it.

And the Riverside Tavern is closing at the end of the summer and being converted into a house.

Alan Norton, a regular at the Bell for more than 50 years, said: "We could well end up without a pub in the village, which is scandalous.

"There's been talk that they want to put houses on the car park, but nobody will be happy about that.

"It seems wrong that hundreds of homes are going up in Monton Heathfield within a mile and they're closing both the pubs.

"If they do, it'll be a sad day for Creech."

Joseph Lewenstein, of Salford-based Jaymar Estates, managing agents of the Bell, said the previous tenant had left suddenly.

"The owners don't really know what's going to happen," added Mr Lewenstein.

"They are contemplating what to do - they could be re-opening or it could be developed.

"But I should imagine there would be strong opposition from the village if they did develop it.

"We're waiting to hear from the landlords what they want to do."

Riverside owner Jackie Hitchcock said: "We're closing at the end of the summer, although we're not sure of the exact date.

"We've got planning permission for a change of use to convert it into a dwelling."