Derelict pub to become food store

Plans have been submitted to turn a derelict pub into a new Co-op store.

Lincolnshire Co-operative want to demolish the former Bridge Inn on Lincoln Road, Newark, and build a new food store with two other units that could be used as shops, a cafe or restaurant, or a takeaway.

The Co-op has built a store on nearby Strawberry Hall Lane but now plans to let this out to other businesses because it sees Lincoln Road as a more suitable site.

If approved, the new store would sell a variety of items like groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen products.

The society’s bakers, Gadsby’s of Southwell, would produce a range of bread, cakes and pastry products for the store. It would sell Fairtrade items and local products from the Co-op's Local Choice range, including beer made by Cromwell’s Milestone Brewery and Sutton on Trent’s Springhead Brewery.

The chief executive of Lincolnshire Co-operative, Ursula Lidbetter, said: “We believe it is a great location for a Lincolnshire Co-operative food store and will offer our members and customers in the Newark area a valued facility.

"The scheme would also bring a derelict site on a prominent route into Newark back into use.

“The Strawberry Hall Lane site is being marketed to let and would provide a good location for new or existing businesses to thrive.”

The Bridge Inn has been targeted three times by arsonists and has been deemed unsafe to enter.

If planning permission is granted by Newark and Sherwood District Council, the Co-op will appoint a contractor to build the new store and work will take about six months.

The Co-op says new jobs would be created by the store opening, but were not yet able to say how many.

Lincolnshire Co-op is planning to open a food store and a pharmacy at Witham St Hughs on the afternoon of Monday, September 6.

The food store will sell similar items to those at the proposed Lincoln Road store. The pharmacy will offer a range of health services including a prescription service.