Brewery calls time on pub...before it's even been built

12:00pm Saturday 26th July 2008

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PLANS for a highly anticipated pub in Priory Vale have gone flat.

Brewery Marston’s was due to open a pub in Priory Vale village centre, but has suddenly pulled out.

However as a number of pub companies were interested in the site originally, planning officers believe it won’t be long before another one moves in.

Swindon council planning officer Ian Halsall said the pub was granted planning permission two weeks ago.

“They said they were pulling out due to the economic climate and it was not financially viable,” he said.

“I am sure there are other pubs in the offing.

“The benefit is that there is now planning permission on the site.In any recession people still want to go for a drink so it won’t be long before another pub sets up there.”

It is believed the pub would have been similar to the nearby Tawny Owl and Blunsdon Arms. It would have looked like an old farm building with a car park and French doors opening onto the village area.

Coun Justin Tomlinson, (Con, Abbey Meads) said: “It is extremely disappointing that Marston’s have stepped aside.

“However, despite the economic uncertainty I believe this is still an extremely attractive site, with a large catchment area ideal to alternative operators. “I believe at the time Marston’s snapped up the site, there were at least two other operators vying for the site, so fingers crossed this is only a temporary blip.”

Mr Tomlinson said residents were very keen on securing a pub for the area. As ever, I will be doing all I can to help push this for fellow local residents as this is a much needed local facility,” he said.

He said the developers remained confident that an alternative operator would step into position.

Only a couple of objections were submitted to the council’s planning department about the proximity to a school.

Steve Roberts, Acquisitions Manager at Marston’s Inns and Taverns, said: “The plans for a pub in Redhouse, Swindon have regretfully been withdrawn due to unexpectedly high development costs.”