A GROUP of residents will meet on Tuesday (March 12), to discuss the Co-op’s plans to transform an historic pub in East Wittering into a convenience store.
The group, which has a Facebook page called Save Our Royal Oak, meets every other Tuesday at the pub to talk about ways in which the pub might be saved.
At a consultation last month, the Co-op’s plans were met with mixed views from villagers.
The pub is estimated to be at least 300 years old and a landmark in the village, so it was no surprise when 400 people turned up to the consultation.
A letter in last week’s Observer, from Andrew Barton, Christine Barton and Heather Brooks, read: “Many in East Wittering are unhappy about the impact this much larger store will have on the village.
“We are unique in that we have a thriving village centre with many small shops and cafes which include two butchers, two bakers, two greengrocers, a fish shop and a newsagents, as well as some other general shops, in addition to the Tesco Express and the existing Co-op store which was refurbished in April 2011.
“It is very doubtful that all of these small shops will be able to survive the competition from a large supermarket.”
If you would like to contribute to the discussion on Tuesday, the group will meet at the Royal Oak pub at 7pm. Anyone is welcome to attend.