A leisure boss has defended plans to rip down a Cullercoats pub to make way for housing saying half a million pounds has been spent trying to make it work.
Malhotra Leisure Ltd is behind plans to bulldoze the Sandpiper Pub and erect 18 apartments and three shops in its place.
If the proposals are given the go-ahead the apartments and three retail units, one of which will be a Co-op Convenience store, will be built on the Farringdon Road site.
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A planning statement lodged with the council said that the Co-op would create between 15 and 20 new jobs with 50 jobs created during the build time.
It argued that trade at the pub has been in decline for the past five years and it is “no longer viable as a going concern”.
Ian Tubman, Project Director for Malhotra Group, PLC, says the pub isn’t doing enough trade to make it viable despite “significant” investment.
He said: “The proposal for The Sandpiper pub will bring some exciting and much needed new facilities to the area, with shops and apartments which will be of huge benefit to the local community.
“While we appreciate there may be some strong feelings about the site, we have invested in excess of £500,000 on the refurbishment of the pub.
“This in turn has created a beautiful beer garden and children’s play area since we acquired it, including the creation of a new kitchen and upgrading our food offering and holding annual beer festivals.
“Despite this significant investment, we have not achieved the levels of trade that make it a viable commercial proposition as it stands, and we have had no alternative but to look at other options for the premise.
“We firmly believe these plans are a very positive way forward and showcase our continued desire to invest in North Tyneside.”
The council has received 10 expressions of support for the scheme with one backer describing it as “perfect”.
But residents aren’t convinced and 179 objections to the scheme have been lodged on the authority’s website.
Objectors raised fears about the impact on traffic and the “tragic loss”of the boozer.
A Conservative backed petition against the plans has gained more than 500 signatures according to Coun Liam Bones.
Speaking about the petition activist Steven Robinson, who previously stood as mayor for the Tories, said “I’m delighted that my petition has received so much support online – opposition to the proposal for this four storey development which would tower over Cullercoats has been huge.
“Our only hope now is that as many residents as possible put in objections, sign petitions and show their opposition to these proposals. There is a paper petition running inside the pub, or you can sign the online petition at savethesandpiper.co.uk .”
North Tyneside Council is expected to decide on the proposals in April.
