A BID to make an Alcester pub a community asset has been turned down by councillors.
Residents proposed registering the Three Tubs Pub as a community asset as way of securing its future but Alcester Town Council feared the move would just create an empty space on the high street.
If the plan had been given the go-ahead it would mean when it was put up for sale community groups would have up to six months to put a package together to buy it, before other bids were considered.
But it is believed a buyer is already interested in purchasing the pub with a view to turning it into a restaurant and Coun Chris Cough said he did not want to ‘muddy the waters’.
He was supported by Coun Sue Adams told a meeting on Tuesday (November 4): “Why should we consider that when it could mean another empty shop on the high street, I don’t see the point.
“If a business wants to buy it how can we stop it?”
Coun Nina Knapman said it was a bad decision, while Coun Mark Cargill said he would also prefer to see a restaurant or shop take over the space rather than having a gap on the high street.
Councillors voted unanimously not to support the plans.
