Plans to convert an historic pub into a cafe have gone badly with local people who say there are already too many in their town.
Faringdon's Red Lion pub has been sitting empty for almost a year, but there are plans to turn the groundfloor into a cafe or bakery and office space, with flats upstairs.
Plans for the Cornmarket hostelry have been submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council. However, former drinkers and householders living nearby have objected disappointed that they could be losing their local pub. 

Read also: See inside Witney's newest pub The Part and Parcel
Camilla of Walker Drive, said businesses in Faringdon were already struggling to stay open and insisted another cafe would not help.
She said: "Faringdon town centre is already inundated with cafes – both local businesses and big corporations alike.
"As a resident of Faringdon for nine years, and having worked in a town centre cafe for five of those, I would strongly advise against another cafe opening in the area.
"The current businesses in Faringdon town centre are struggling to stay afloat, with many having to close their doors and remain vacant for long periods of time."

 

Herald Series: Plans for the Red Lion in Faringdon. Picture: Design and access statement

She added: "I would propose that, instead of a new cafe, a poll is opened to the residents of Faringdon to see what is actually needed in the area and would be used.
"We should be looking to build upon the town centre and bring more people in instead of harming the already existing businesses and causing the town centre to die."
A business owner who gave her name only as Dawn commented on the planning application but did not leave her address. She said the Red Lion should remain as a pub.
She added: "At present there are sufficient cafes in Faringdon. We used to regularly visit this pub. The present landlord has brought the premises with no intention of opening back up as a public house.
"This was a viable business in the past and most importantly the only public house with a family friendly secure outside space, which for a growing town I think this is a very important factor. I have had a business in the town centre for 19 years and strongly feel that we do need to try and keep a public house open to families."

Read also: Homeowners fed-up after six years of vandalism at Upper Reaches in Abingdon

Faringdon councillor Bethia Thomas, has no determination over what happens to the building, but would like to see a "vibrant" town centre and says the town is not "inundated" with cafes. 
She said: "We cannot determine the type of building or business that comes into the town centre, but we would welcome the fact it is an occupied building rather than an empty building."
The applicant, Swanee River Ltd, has said it does not wish to make a comment at this time. 
The public consultation on the pub's plans is set to end on February 3, and a decision is set to be made by the council by February 15.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok

Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here

List an event for free on our website here