Space for Spot Pub bids for parking and campervan room
APUB near the M5 is hoping to have extra space for cars and motorhomes to help it make ends meet.
The Gloucester Old Spot, at Tewkesbury Road, Elmstone Hardwicke, near Cheltenham, says it needs to diversify in order to be economically viable.
The site, which is close to junction 10 of the motorway, has hosted motorhomes in recent years and its bosses want to have more room to do so in the future.
As well as helping to attract more customers to boost its income, the pub wants the extra parking space to prevent motorists from parking on the road next to it.
It has therefore applied to Tewkesbury Borough Council for permission to extend its car park, create a motorhome parking area and have a new access point.
The development would be in an unused paddock area at the back of the pub.
If allowed, it will result in the creation of 20 new parking spaces and 12 motorhome/camper van parking spaces.
The proposed new access point will be for motorhome parking only.
A report in the application says: “The location of the Old Spot, being adjacent to junction 10 of the M5, has long made it a suitable stop-over for motorhomes and we have welcomed them to park overnight with us for over five years.”
It adds: “The need for this amenity is proven, not least as we are a halfway staging post between the north and south west for tourists.
“In addition, the M5 at junction 10 will soon be upgraded to all movements traffic and our proposed facilities will become even more popular and convenient.”
The pub, which employs 35 people, has won the support of several of its customers.
They have written to the borough council to back the planned development.
But Elmstone Parish Council had concerns and said, in its submission to the borough council: “If the application does go forward, we would point out that the new access is right opposite the entrance to Elmstone Business Park.”