DRINKERS want to call time on plans to extend a popular pub.

Some 30 regulars met at the Hare and Hounds pub in Holcombe Brook on Tuesday evening fearing the planned extension will deprive them of their local.

Scottish and Newcastle Brewery have applied to extend the kitchen, add another room and re-organise the car-parking. This has lead drinkers to believe the pub will become a glorified restaurant.

Mrs Marie Caldwell, a leading objector ,said: "The meeting was called because we don't really know what is going on and we wanted to know how everyone else felt about the planned changes.

"The pub is very like a community centre, meetings are held their and young and old just pop in. We have a feeling the planned changes will take this traditional pub away from the community."

Over the years the popular haunt has become a meeting place for charity events, PTA meetings and local organisations.

Following the meeting concerned locals have decided to object on the grounds the pub is in a conservation area.

"The pub has always remained the same since 1812 and we want it to stay the same. Plans to extend another pub was refused because it was in a conservation area, so we are hoping these plans will be rejected on the same grounds," said Mrs Caldwell.

She added that she and other customers would be meeting regularly in their bid to keep the pub as it is.

No one at Scottish and Newcastle Brewery was available for comment.

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