YEOVIL NEWS: Councillor wants to save Fleur De Lys pub

A YEOVIL councillor is investigating how a local pub can be saved from being converted into a convenience store.

Cllr Jon Gleeson, who represents the area covering the recently-closed Fleur De Lys pub on the junction of St Michael’s Avenue and Mudford Road, believes something can be done before the Yeovil pub trade dies for good.

It comes following news last week that Fleur De Lys had closed and owners, Punch Taverns, had made a lease agreement for the building with the Co-op.

But Cllr Gleeson will be writing to the Co-operative and the Government to ask for more information on how the pub could potentially be given to the community to run rather than be turned into yet another convenience store.

“I am absolutely astounded to hear the Co-operative, who are normally very ethical and community led would do this with no local consultation and tear into the centre of the community like this,” he said. “I urge them to re-think their plans and at least give the community the opportunity to take ownership of the pub so that locals can enjoy this community asset. It is a disgrace.

“Too many pubs in our town are being lost and converted to yet another shop. It has to stop. The government must give councils more powers to make that change happen. Right now there appears to be little a local council can do to intervene without the fear of legal action hanging over their heads.

“Legislation brought in by the government allows communities to be given the chance to take ownership of a community asset within six months of closure. Yet I get the impression the fleur has been shut down and a deal struck behind closed doors with no local consultation.

“I cannot promise that anything can be done. But what I can do is find out where we stand from a community point of view and I would urge anyone willing to attempt to save the pub to come forward.”

Cllr Gleeson has won the support of Greg Mulholland MP who is chairman of the all parliamentary party beer group who campaign for tougher laws to protect the great British pub.

“Sad to hear about the Fleur De Lys in Yeovil,” he said. “Yet another casualty in the current decimation of he great British pub. We urgently need planning reform to stop supermarkets including the co op targeting pubs for change of use. It is ludicrous that the current planning system allows pubs to be turned into supermarkets without the local community having a say this has to be saved.”

The Yeovil Press is awaiting comment from the Co-operative.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Cllr Jon Gleeson is looking to save the Fleur De Lys pub in Yeovil.

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