The closure of a historic pub in a North Somerset village – ahead of a likely conversion into a supermarket – has received criticism from the parish council.

The Lord Nelson pub, in Cleeve, closed last month after Greene King sold the freehold to Cheddar-based Tout Ltd, which runs Budgens stores in Nailsea and Langford.

A Cleeve Parish Council spokesman said: “It’s very sad the Lord Nelson has closed; it’s the only pub in Cleeve.

“We’re aware pubs can be converted into supermarkets, shops or demolished, so we are watching carefully.

“We have a Tesco two miles down the road in Congresbury and Cleeve already has a village shop.

“If it is developed we wish it be community-orientated, attractively landscaped and of real value to Cleeve.”

A petition to list the pub as a community asset has earned nearly 700 supporters and has been delivered to North Somerset Council.

If the council lists the building as a community asset, planning permission would be required to convert it.

The Bristol House pub in Weston was granted community asset status, and a campaign fought off efforts from Tesco and Co-operative to convert it to a convenience store.

The campaign to save the Lord Nelson has received support from North Somerset councillor Deborah Yamanaka.

She told the Mercury: “I was very sorry to hear the Lord Nelson has been closed as a pub and sold.

“It is the only pub in Cleeve and serves a vital social function. As well as a place to have a drink there are teams for skittles, darts and pool.”

Cllr Yamanaka said she supports the campaigners’ efforts to earn community asset status for the pub.

She added: “I certainly hope the Lord Nelson can continue to be run as a pub.”