JD Wetherspoon has revived the generation gap in Luton by floating the idea of turning its pub in the town into one of its late-night Lloyds No 1 outlets.
Older customers who see the White House in the town centre as the last bastion of a quiet pint and a civilised chat are appalled at the idea of seeing it turned into a Lloyds, which features music and, plasma screens.
Wetherspoon is testing the water for a different offer by installing big-screen TV at the White House in time for next month's Euro 2004 tournament.
The pub operator has also confirmed that is considering the Lloyds makeover for later this year. There is scope to expand the premises into a vacant unit next door, formerly occupied by late night brand Brannigans. The proposal has split the town, with Tom Burn, 56, making the case for the older generation to the local newspaper.
He said: "I come in here in the day because it's not full of rowdy youngsters and loud music. I rather think if it turns into one of these new-fangled theme pubs, then they will lose a lot of their regulars."
However, Mark Rodgers, 21, said: "This place needs livening up a bit and music and live football is just what's needed. Pubs are meant to be buzzing places, not poor imitations of the Rovers' Return."
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told thePublican.com: "We aren't looking to convert Wetherspoon's pubs intro Lloyds outlets as a general policy, but there are one or two individual premises, such as Luton, where it's a possibility.
"Luton is a university town with a lot of young people and we have to address that."