Upset over pub changes

Villagers are worried about losing their traditional pub now that the owners have submitted plans to refurbish and extend the premises.

But Greene King says trade at the Three Cups at Punnetts Town, near Heathfield, is in decline and substantial investment planned is needed to give it broader appeal.

Elaine Beckett, public relations manager for the Greene King leased and tenanted division, said they wanted to extend the premises at the rear to improve both the drinking area and the eating area so that it would not be exclusive to any one type of customer.

She said cellar works were also planned to create a larger beer storage area and there were plans to put toilets into the rear of the pub and improve the kitchen.

'We are hoping to make it more a family friendly operation, improving facilities for drinkers but also making it a place for families to go and enjoy a meal,' said Ms Beckett.

But Mr Evan Morgan, who lives at Punnetts Town and enjoys a drink at the pub on a Saturday or Sunday lunchtime, said regulars were very worried about the plans which would see the food area increased in size from around 40 covers to 140.

Beer pub

He has been using the pub for 25 years and said it was a great shame changes were planned. 'It is one of the few pubs within a ten to 20 mile radius which is more a beer pub than a food pub.'

He said the extension would mean a three-fold increase in the size of the pub, it would be out of place in the hamlet where it was sited and there weren't enough people living locally to provide the extra business the refurbished pub would need.

It was also on a dangerous stretch of road and he wondered where additional customers could park because there was no mention in the plans of providing additional car parking.

Ms Beckett said Greene King believed the current car parking facilities were adequate for future needs and said the company would have carried out research on potential business before submitting its plans.

'This is not something we would go into lightly because we will be investing a substantial amount of money if the planning permission is given.'