Plans for a new farm shop in a Nottinghamshire village where there is 'nowhere to buy a pint of milk' have been welcomed by residents. Proposals have been been put forward to demolish the former Mediterraneo pub and restaurant in Main Street, Gunthorpe, and create a mixed-use development.
The development, sent it to Newark and Sherwood District Council, would include a farm shop, deli, butchers, salon, dental studio, café and an office unit. A courtyard area will include landscaped areas.
The existing car parking area will be enhanced and will create 20 spaces. Residents in Gunthorpe welcome the proposed plans due to the lack of facilities they have in the village where ‘there’s nowhere to buy a pint of milk’.
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Resident Hayley O’Shea, said it would be useful to residents as it would allow them to walk to the shop rather than travel outside the village. The 39 year old said: “I think it’s a welcome addition. There’s nowhere to buy a pint of milk. You can buy plenty of beer but no milk or bread. It would be useful to have. You could just walk to it, it would be good.
“Since we lost that, that was the village pub. It was like you could walk in and you know there would be a person that you could talk to. It’s been a long time. It has been a restaurant a few times but didn’t last. Something’s got to happen to it.”
Another villager, Andy Beardwell, 72, shared concern for the car park, as the street can get busy with parked cars. Mr Beardwell said: “If we had a farm shop here it would be good. At weekends parking is all the way along here, I don’t think 20 spaces is enough. There are a lot of cars. Something needs to be done, this is an eyesore. It’s just a mess.”
Andy’s partner, Julie Northage, added that the development would bring life into Gunthorpe. The 63 year old said: “It would be nice to bring some life here, I think a farm shop would be good. Also employing the village people.”
Before the site was the Mediterraneo pub and restaurant, the building was a pub named the Anchor Inn.
Daniel Blagg, 47, told Nottinghamshire Live that the plans are positive for the area. Mr Blagg added: “I think it would be good. It’s nice here, by the riverside - it has a good community feel. It’s not a very big area. You need people coming to the area to come and use it. They would have to have an influx of people. It’s a good idea, good plans.
“It’s got to change, it’s got to be used, it's been years. I used to go in it when I was younger about 20 years ago. I used to go in the Anchor occasionally. It was quite a popular place, elder people from East Bridgford and the cricketers would come after playing cricket.”
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