Eyesore former Hasbury Inn will become supermarket - two years after closing despite campaign
An eyesore former pub will be turned into a supermarket two years after closing – dashing hopes that it could be re-opened.
Owners of The Hasbury Inn have confirmed work will now start on converting the pub in Halesowen into a Co-op within weeks. Campaigners had hoped the pub on Hagley Road could be saved after it appeared plans to create a shop had stalled.
Ward councillors have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour, vandalism and fly-tipping on the site, which has been left vacant since the pub, formerly known as The Beehive, shut.
Councillor Simon Phipps said the move would ‘bad for local businesses’ but was ‘happy’ something was being done.
He said: “They said that they were looking to start building work in the next six to eight weeks.
“I am still not a fan of a shop being on that site. It is bad for local businesses and it is bad for local residents particularly with the noise with the deliveries that will be made. At least I am happy that something is going to be there.”
A petition opposing the scheme in August 2015 was signed by 674 people as part of a Save The Hasbury Inn campaign.
David Shipton, pub portfolio director for owners New River, said: “The closure of a pub would always be a last resort for us.
“We reviewed the historic trading performance of the Hasbury Inn, and regrettably it was concluded that the pub is not financially viable and did not have a sustainable future.
"Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has given planning permission for a new convenience store to be operated by the Co-op, to provide a new high-quality grocery offer for the community.
“Work will commence on delivering this new store in the spring of 2018.”
Tom Stainer, spokesman for Campaign for Real Ale, said: “Pubs are vital to local communities and economies. In many areas and villages they provide the last remaining public meeting space, with meeting halls and post offices already lost.”
