Campaigners ask 'why not use an existing empty unit instead' as pub is turned into charity shop
A plan to turn a closed Torquay pub into a charity shop has been approved despite objections.
Devon Air Ambulance Trust has been given permission to take over the ground floor of The Snooty Fox, in St Marychurch.
The building in Fore Street was a meeting place for locals for more than a century after starting out as a hotel.
The licensee blamed complaints about live music for the decision to leave in October 2019.
The trust submitted a planning application in August to take over the ground floor as a charity shop, but objectors said it should be kept as a bar or restaurant. The council has now issued its decision to approve the change of use.
Property owner Adam Hesse, of Kingsbridge, commented in support of the application on the council’s planning website.
He said he would be delighted to work with any of the objectors who wanted to take out a lease and run a restaurant, but the premises had been marketed for a year without success.
He highlighted the challenges of running a small business and said the alternative to the change of use would be leaving it empty and boarded up.
Objector Janet Barnes said the pub was valued and popular with locals.
She wrote: “This is an opportunity to reopen as a refurbished pub or new restaurant to be enjoyed by locals whilst attracting tourists.”
Mrs Barnes questioned the need for another shop in the area when so many were already closing and boarded up, creating an “eyesore”.
She said there were several empty units already in St Marychurch and other shopping streets in Torquay.
It has been reported that the previous landlady left the pub after seven years when income fell due to live music being stopped following noise complaints.
The building is said to date back to around 1890 when it was the Newberry’s family hotel and locals used to drink in its bar and restaurant.
It then became the St George Hotel and later The Links, then finally the Snooty Fox.
The application from the trust said no structural changes were planned.