Town says no to new Wetherspoon's pub

The popular pub chain is seeking to take over a Grade 11 listed former restaurant in St John Street - close to the historic Iron Bridge.

But already the town council has opposed the plan after listening to objections from Newportonians.

Town mayor Phil Winsor said: “The fact is that this would be a huge pub for our town. The company plans to extend the building so that it can fit 600 customers at a time.”

There are no plans to provide any parking space, so the extra influx of people would cause problems for the town, said Mr Winsor.

Residents are also worried about potential noise and disruption, as well as traffic congestion from delivery vehicles supplying Wetherspoon.

History-conscious townspeople are also questioning whether the extension would ruin the character of a listed building, which was formerly Robinsons’s restaurant.

It is understood publican are worried because Wetherspoon’s cheap prices could affect their businesses.

Newport Pagnell Town Council’s views will now be passed to Milton Keynes Council, whose councillors will decide whether to grant the application.

Mr Winsor said: “The Wetherspoon application has created a massive amount of interest in the town.”