Pub may be knocked down

The fight to save the 19th century Lamb Inn has got underway.

Licensees Andrew and Sherry Rawlins have started a petition to save the premises from being knocked down.

They are also planning a range of community events to raise the profile of the Steyne Street hostelry. The first is set to be a street party on June 29.

There is talk as well of seeking to get the building listed '“ it was created from three cottages '“ to recognise its historic significance for relating to a Bognor long since lost.

Those dismayed at the threat to the pub's survival include one of its most loyal regulars. John Stevens (72) has supped his drinks there most days for the past 45 years.

Recent years see him crossing Steyne Street from his flat to enjoy a pint or two in the warmth of the company of his friends behind and in front of the bar.

"This is a friendly pub and a lot of my mates are here. It will be a shame to have a nice place like this disappear," he said.

The pub's future is under threat from the 100m-plus regeneration proposals by St Modwen for the Hothamton car park site.

The developer's latest plans show the site being used right up to its Steyne Street boundary.

Much of the site will be built on with an office block along with a store and a new health centre.

But where The Lamb Inn has stood since the 1870s there will just be the small group of trees.

Work on the scheme could start in late 2009. This gives The Lamb less than two years' left '“ unless Mr and Mrs Rawlins and their regulars can halt the bulldozers.

They have got off to a promising start. Business is booming since they took over last June. Friday and Saturday nights see their 150 customer capacity tested with a mixture of those who stay all night or move on elsewhere after a few drinks.

Mrs Rawlins (44) said she was hopeful the success would encourage the pub's owner, Enterprise Inns, to keep it open.

"They see no reason to pull the place down. Why would they want to have a one-off payment when they can have a considerable amount coming into them all the time?" she asked.

"This is a real community meeting place for people who have lived in Bognor for all of their lives or who have come to love the town.

"St Modwen must be told to leave us alone unless they actually care about Bognor because all we can see is that they are looking for a money spinner. But will building a block of flats more designed for Dubai actually bring more money to the people of Bognor or just line the developer's pockets."

Mr Rawlins (44) commented: "At the end of the day, why bother to knock it down and put nothing in its place? What's the point?

"This is the country pub in the town with an open fireplace and two proper bars. We are the last of the three pubs that there used to be in Steyne Street."

St Modwen's schemes are subject to change and further public consultation. The company intends to submit a planning application for the work this autumn.