'Disappointment' for locals determined to prevent pub from becoming convenience store

Locals have been battling to stop the pub from being converted into a Morrisons convenience store.

Sedgley councillor and UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge, who has been heavily involved in the campaign said: “I will not give up on saving this pub until the doors close – if, indeed, they do.

“That the deal has been signed by Marston’s is disappointing, yet it was very encouraging to hear Mr Findlay say that in any future sell-offs they would try and open up better lines of communication with the local communities affected.

“I will be writing again to Morrison’s, to see if I can get them to discuss the situation with the local community, who still want to keep the pub and I would like to thank Mr. Findlay for taking the time to speak to us.”

At the Seven Stars in Sedgley for a public meeting to try to save it from being turned into a Morrisons

— David Cosgrove (@DavidCosgrove_) August 4, 2015

Campaigners protested against the closure of the Seven Stars outside Marston’s Wolverhampton headquarters earlier this month in a last ditch attempt to save the pub from redevelopment.

A spokesperson from Marston’s said: “Marston’s has been in regular and open dialogue with the campaigners since November last year.”

Dudley Council’s original decision to block the plans was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate earlier this month.