Co-op bid to take over South Western Hotel in Tisbury

The South Western Hotel, on Station Road in Tisbury, has been closed since mid-2018.

The application follows a failed bid to turn the pub into a "community hub".

If approved, the current Co-op in Tisbury would be relocated to the site, which the applicants say would allow them to "improve its offer to the local community".

'Useful facility for commuters'

The pub was registered as an Asset of Community Value in May 2019.

Proposals were put forward to turn the into into a mixed use community hub including a café and retail shop.

The Tisbury Community Benefit Society were unable to raise sufficient funds to purchase the premises, and therefore the bid was unsuccessful.

The application says that given the close proximity of the site to the railway station, the proposals will provide "a useful facility for commuters".

It adds: "Further residential development is anticipated in the future which will only enhance trade for the store, provide additional convenience facilities to surrounding residents and bring the site further into the heart of the town."

If the plans are approved, there will also be flats on the first and second floors.

'Plans will respect and enhance community'

The design and access statement states: "The existing Co-op convenience store located on Tisbury High Street currently provides a good service to the catchment area, however, the store is too constrained to properly serve the local community and it is therefore proposed to relocate the existing premises to the application site."

It says, in conclusion, that the proposed development "utilises an existing vacant building to provide both a new community facility and residential units, both of which will respect and enhance the community and surrounding areas and every effort has been made to create a scheme which is both attractive and functional".

It adds: "Furthermore, subject to permissions being obtained, the provision of a new local convenience store will provide numerous full and part time job posts within the community."

To view the plans in full, click here.

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