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.”
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