Moves to reopen pub closed for over a year

AN empty town centre pub in Portishead – which closed over a year ago – could be reopened.

Enterprise Inns, owners of the White Lion in the High Street, have submitted plans to extend the pub in a bid to get it trading again.

The pub, once a popular hostelry in the town, closed in October 2011 and it has laid vacant ever since, with its windows boarded up.

Now Enterprise Inns have submitted plans to extend the pub which could see the rear lobby of the building demolished and a single storey extension with a roof terrace created.

It is understood the first floor of the pub would be turned into a restaurant and the second floor used for living accommodation.

The pub – in a prime location in the High Street – is Grade II listed and has a large car park which is already used by shoppers visiting the town centre.

Enterprise Inns refused to be drawn on the exact plans for the building, which was once a water mill.

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: "We are currently reviewing various concept ideas for this site.

"To this end, we have submitted planning permission to ensure that the White Lion continues trading and to realise the full potential of this iconic site."

Speculation had been mounting that the pub could be taken over by a supermarket following plans by Tesco to turn the former Royal Oak at West Hill into an Express store.

Local residents have objected to the proposals but Tesco representatives say it is still their plan to open the store in the New Year.

Because the pub is classed as a retail business, no change of use planning permission is needed. Bosses at Tesco say they are not interested in the High Street site and are concentrating their efforts on the West Hill development.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Sophie Akokhia said: "We are only pursuing plans for West Hill."

Portishead councillors said they would like to see the White Lion re-opened as a pub for the local community.

Councillor Reyna Knight, whose ward covers the High Street, said: "I would like to see the White Lion remain as a pub and it would be great to see it restored to its former glory.

"I think the community at large would welcome the re-opening of the pub."

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