Co-op interested in another Manhood Peninsula pub?

The empty Selsey Bill pub, in Seal Road, is currently undergoing renovation, however it is not yet known if this is with a view to reopening it as a branch of the Co-op.

Speaking at last Wednesday’s Selsey Town Council planning meeting (June 3), council chairman Mike Beal confirmed he had been approached by an agent of one of the Co-op branches.

“I was contacted by an agent of one of the Co-ops,” he said.

“As far as I know that’s all that’s anything has happened.

“He asked me what the general reaction would be if a Co-op would be opened on the old Selsey Bill site.”

However, further than that he said he had no more concrete information to add.

A number of town councillors said they had been contacted by curious residents, with councillor Chris Dean saying: “What we have here is a rumour mill.

“I think the town council has got a duty to the town to try to find out as much as we can about what’s intended there,” he said.

He said he imagined nearby residents would be ‘dreading’ a pub being reopened there.

“We need to put that to rest if we can,” he said.

However, fellow councillor Glenda Baum said she heard tell from locals it could be about to reopen as a pub but with a restaurant attached.

No one at the council knew who owned the building.

The Observer is trying to ascertain if a Co-op branch does indeed intend to open a branch at the store.

Planning permission does not need to be granted for a pub to change into a convenience store, so no application to Chichester District Council will be made.

What would you like to see the former Selsey Bill restored to?

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you will be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver

3 Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Observer – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.