Co-op on pub car park will finish me, says landlord

New River Retail has submitted plans to put a Co-op store next to The Crown in Netherton.

The plans do not present a direct threat to the pub, but the arrival of the Co-op would leave The Crown with only 11 parking spaces.

It is the latest in a long line of applications to build on car parks of Black Country pubs.

New River is behind many of the schemes after buying 200 pubs from Marston's in a £90 million deal.

Robin Wall, who only took over the running of the pub, in Simms Lane, in recent weeks admitted the prospect of the Co-op arriving on the doorstep was not an ideal start to life at the helm of his first pub.

He said: "It is a concern that it is going to reduce the number of car parking spaces to 11 which is ridiculous really.

"When we have functions on in the big room we can have 25 to 30 cars on here easily. I don't know how the wagons would get on to deliver the beer."

Another concern for Mr Wall is the fact cheap alcohol is likely to be available at the store. The new landlord said the store could 'finish him'.

"I don't know if it is going to sell alcohol, which would be a problem.

"I have a beer garden and if I get people getting bottles of beer and then coming and sitting in the beer garden that's going to be difficult to police."

A spokesman for NewRiver Retail said, "We have put together proposals at the site with the specific objective of ensuring that The Crown public house is retained and operates long into the future. There is no question of the pub being closed if the plans are approved.

Elsewhere in the country where small convenience stores have been delivered alongside public houses, a community hub has been created which has meant that the pub can benefit from linked trips. The proposal aims to provide a modern new store that will serve the immediate locality, improve local choice and create around 20 new jobs."

Similar convenience store proposals have sparked campaigns to save pubs elsewhere in Dudley and Mr Wall said he was considering protesting against the plan.

UKIP activists have already contacted him about trying to 'save the car park'.

He said: "I would prefer it to stay as it is. I would go along with anything if it would help my business. If that shops sells alcohol I will be finished."

Furious campaigners have launched a bid to try and save the Haden Cross Inn, in Cradley Heath, after its car park was also eyed up by developers.

The Hare & Hounds in Wollescote and The Ashwood Inn in Wordsley have also been subject to similar plans.

The Crown was leased back to Marston's following its sale to New River. The deal runs until the end of 2017 when Mr Wall said they would decide on its future.

New River Retail said it did not expect the building of the store to have a negative impact on the pub. In a design and access statement submitted with the plans, it said the car park was currently 'underused' and the the store would reflect the character and style of the pub so it would 'sit comfortably within the site without detriment to its neighbours'.