DEVELOPERS working at the site of the White Hart pub in Calne have said it now looks unlikely that the pub will ever open again.
Work is currently underway by developers, Beam Contracting to build a gated development of 8 houses formed from conversion of the original hotel wings and associated out-buildings. The oringinal plan had been to keep the historic pub alongside the homes.
However, after marketing the remaining pub area for more than a year, developers say they have only had one person show any interest, and unfortunately they have now also concluded that it doesn’t work for them due to the lack of recent trading history, and the prevailing market headwinds of inflation, energy prices and impending recession. This is despite the developers offers to carry out many refurbishment works free of charge.
Project Director Steve Hawes told us: "As it now looks unlikely that anyone will take the pub on as either a purchase or a lease, we are proposing to submit a planning application to convert the pub into further residential units. This has not been our preferred option, hence spending over a year trying to return it to a nice country pub/restaurant – for which it seems there would be a good deal of local demand from customers, but no-one willing to actually take it on."
The proposed planning application would seek to keep the conversion works sympathetic to the Grade II* listed structure – similar to the work already underway– with close to zero impact on the historic external facades.
Steve added: "The eight units (seven houses and one apartment) we are currently in the process of creating are now fairly well progressed, and we hope to list the first ones for sale in the next few weeks."
Meanwhile, any businesses who might be interested in taking the remaining pub area on - possibly even as a convenience store or other type of shop - can contact
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