BED and breakfast cabins are included in a planned revamp of the The Royal Oak at Bishopstone.

Arkell’s Brewery - which bought the neighbouring pub The True Heart Inn last month - revealed its plans for both at an exhibition last week.

It wants to extend the life of its existing business, The Royal Oak, by expanding its car park using space available at the rear of the True Heart.

As well as building a ten-bedroom block of log cabins to boost tourism income, a new restaurant will be built to transform the Oak.

The brewers plan to sell the existing True Heart building with planning consent as a residential home.

They hope the extra dining space will free up the existing bar for customers at the Oak who are keener on drinking rather than eating.

More than 70 villagers - including parish councillors - visited the village hall last Thursday to view the plans.

Ian Thompson, chairman of the parish council, said: “In my personal view it’s a win-win.

“The village would get back more of a community pub and The Royal Oak could expand its business.

“It would maintain its restaurant and have a bit of accommodation as well. It seems to me everyone wins.

“Some will be sorry to lose the True Heart.

“But it’s a moot point whether the village could support two pubs.

“There’s a view they could support two, but Arkell’s feels there isn’t the trade there to support it.

“I understand where they are coming from, I don’t think the parish council has a strong view and I’m not aware what the general view of the village is.”

George Arkell, Arkell’s managing director, said: “Our primary objective is to make The Royal Oak sustainable as a long-term business.

“We had some useful feedback at the exhibition, and when we explained the reasons behind what we are planning there was a good level of recognition and understanding from the village.

“Now we will take on board all the comments made which will help us make the proposed development as good as it can possibly be.”

A spokeswoman for the brewery said: “Most visitors to the exhibition understood a village the size of Bishopstone cannot sustain two pubs.

“These plans include putting investment into The Royal Oak.

“The plans use some of the garden of The True Heart, which backs onto The Royal Oak, to build bed and breakfast accommodation, giving The Royal Oak another income stream.

“Then The True Heart will be sold with planning consent as a residential home.

“By doing this, Arkell’s will maintain much of the site as attractive parking or green space and add to the appeal of the pub.”

Arkell’s plans to submit a planning application next month and hopes for a decision by June.