Future of Royal Hunt pub in Ascot uncertain pending outcome of public inquiry

The venue shut down last year and convenience store brand The Southern Co-operative had applied to convert it into a Co-op branch.

After Bracknell Forest Council threw out the proposal, the company appealed the decision.

Meanwhile residents have urged the authority to safeguard the site as a community asset.

Roli Ranger, who has run the Londis newsagent on New Road for more than 23 years, is adamant another store is not really needed.

He said: “I definitely think it should stay as a community pub or other community offering.

“Having talked to the locals, most of them would agree for it either to remain as a pub or some sort of coffee shop.”

Mr Ranger said The Southern Co-operative had ignored the potential effects on congestion in the neighbourhood when it made its application.

He continued: “I don’t think they have thought enough about the safety impacts for people walking to the school nearby, like mums and their kids.

“They are trying to portray themselves as an ethical retailer to get around the planning department and open this ramshackle shop.”

Councillor Dorothy Hayes, of Bracknell Forest Council, agreed the neighbourhood was already well served by Londis and Costcutter so it was difficult to see the justification for a new Co-op.

She said: “Why would we want a convenience store that is open to the public nine to five when there are stores with longer hours?”

Cllr Hayes pointed to the conversion of The Foresters in Bagshot into a family-friendly carvery as an example of what could be done with The Royal Hunt.

She added: “It could be a cafe latte place for the mothers to park and in the evening a bistro or a new bar.

“What a fantastic asset that would be in the area.”

A Southern Co-operative spokesperson said: “The Southern Co-operative is hoping to open a community Co-operative Food store within the Royal Hunt, Ascot, site, subject to various development processes, in the near future.”