WHITLEY residents have come out in force to support the reopening of their village pub after a small number of people opposed potential licence changes.
Over 285 people have signed a petition in support of the reopening of the Pear Tree Inn including its proposed licence changes.
Nathan Hall, who started the petition said, “The signatures from local residents supporting this campaign keep coming in and there are some lovely comments on the website.
“We wanted to give a strong message in advance of the licence application hearing, that local people really want their pub back. I’m really pleased with the response we are getting.
“We wanted to demonstrate that the vast majority of local residents support the re-opening of the pub, after hearing that 27 people had signed a petition to oppose the new licence application.
“We knew that petition didn’t represent the real views of the local community of Whitley and Shaw.
“The Pear Tree used to be a great pub, but over recent years it lost its soul and has now been closed for nearly a year. This has taken something special out of our community.
“We want the pub back as an important space for local people to meet, socialise and be a community. The very minor changes to the opening hours outlined in the new premises licence for the pub aren’t going to be a cause of public nuisance or noise.
“There’s a much bigger risk to the local community in losing this asset altogether.”
The petition was launched following a smaller one submitted by residents concerned that if the pub was granted permission for longer opening hours, people leaving late at night would disturb the village.
Punch Taverns, who are expected to start their £250,000 renovation of the pub next month, applied to make changes to the premises licence. They have applied to be able to sell alcohol until 00.00am, and to remain open until 00.30am.
The application will go before Wiltshire Council on Thursday 6th August.
To sign the petition search ‘Pear Tree’ online at you.38degrees.org.uk.