Prestwick superpub set for green light

Aug 13 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE first of Prestwick’s superpubs is set to get the green light.

National chain J D Wetherspoon, who want to open in the town’s Main Street, will learn the fate of their bid next week.

And South Ayrshire councillors will be told the application is a winner.

Council planners have studied the bid, which was lodged earlier this year by the pub and restaurant giant.

Now they’re ready to give the go-ahead for Wetherspoon to move into the old Woolworths building in the centre of town.

But the decision could further ramp up tension in the pub wars, with the Buzzworks Group waiting on a similar application for the town’s Broadway.

However, only eight objections have been submitted against the Wetherspoon bid, despite suggestions there would be widespread rejection in the town.

Among the objectors is Prestwick North Community Council, whose chairman Jim Ronney stated: “This type of public house is not conducive to the environment of our town.

“Hundreds of people leaving this type of public house at closing time must be considered potentially volatile and dangerous.”

Stewart Clarkson, who owns the town’s Parkstone Hotel, added: “In my view, not only have we enough licensed premises in the main street of Prestwick but the size and capacity of this application will be totally out of proportion in a town centre the size of Prestwick.

“A customer area of 275 sq metres equates with a capacity of approx 550/600 people.

“The application will also have an adverse effect on the viability of existing businesses which are presently supporting the town centre and contributing rates to the council.”

But the application appears to have passed on all mainplanning points and has been recommended for approval.

Colin Blair, who owns Elliots in the town, is behind the rival bid for a similar premises at the Broadway.

He insisted: “It is well documented in many papers and articles that allowing such a “superpub” style venue selling cheap drink and food will have a negative effect on the local, well established, social drinking and eating environment.

“Prestwick has a well balanced selection of licenced venues (ten in the same street) and adding a superpub will only serve to displace business and jobs and cheapen the character and quality of the best eating anddrinking circuit in South Ayrshire.”

Councillors on the regulatory panel for planning will announce their decision at next Thursday’s 10am meeting in County Buildings, which is open to the public.