THE landlord of a historic pub is applying to make alterations so staff and customers no longer bump into each other.

Fears have been expressed that if a planning application for the changes fails, then the Grade II listed Globe Inn, at Appley, which dates from the 17th Century, could be forced to close.

Currently, customers wanting to order a drink have to queue at the servery hatch in a corridor outside the 'front room' lounge.

The owners are asking Taunton Deane Borough Council for permission to improve direct access to the bar servery area from the lounge.

A document referring to the current layout of the pub, which closed last year before a new tenant was found, accompanying the application says: "This is impractical for bar staff and inconvenient for customers and results in people queuing for drinks in the corridor area, consequently obstructing the route between the kitchen and dining areas and, more importantly, the fire escape route."

It adds: "There has been much press in the recent past concerning the loss of rural local pubs and we feel that the alterations detailed are necessary in order to maintain this use."