Bulldozer looms for the Goalpost

It is the second pub in the shadow of Molineux facing the bulldozer along with The Wanderer.

Now called Lounge 107, it has long been a favourite for Wolves fans on match days but could be knocked down under plans submitted by Asda, which wants wants to build a petrol station opposite its superstore in Waterloo Road.

The news comes days after it was revealed that The Wanderer, now owned by Wolves, may also be flattened to create more match-day parking.

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Lounge 107 manager Mohammed Waris, who runs the business with his brother Raja Khan, said he had only just been formally told that the plans had gone in to Wolverhampton City Council.

"Punch Taverns, who we lease the building from, are saying Asda had approached them about buying the pub and that this planning application had gone in," he said.

"They said if it went through they would consider whether they were going to sell. We have spent around £60-70,000 on refurbishing it but they said we would be compensated if it was sold."

Ian Stringer, chairman of the Wolverhampton branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said he would be taking the matter up with the branch's conservation officer.

"It's a crying shame, it's a thriving business," he said. "It always does very well. I just can't understand the minds of these big supermarkets, surely they can find somewhere else for a petrol station?"

He said Asda previously had a petrol station on its existing site but closed it.

Councillor John Rowley, who is also member of the Campaign for Real Ale, said he was concerned about the loss of pubs across the city.

"The loss of well-used community pubs is something very much to be regretted," he said. "I'm not one of those people who says we should save every pub, but there is no question some very well-used community pubs have been demolished or turned into supermarkets. Pubs that still perform a valuable community function should be defended."

More then 1,300 people have signed an online petition to save The Wanderer in Molineux Street after the Express & Star revealed on Tuesday(30) that the pub was set to be knocked down.

Last month, it was also revealed that plans had been lodged to turn the King's Arms in Dudley Road, Blakenhall ­- once the base for Wolves during the club's early days ­- into a supermarket.