Campaign to stop historic pub being turned into farm shop
'Our worry is that we will lose the oldest pub in the village'
Plans to convert the oldest pub in a village into a farm shop and cafe has split opinion. An application has been put forward to change the use of the Grade II-listed The George in Benover Road, Yalding.
The pub has been a favourite watering hole for centuries, with the first documented licensees in 1838. The building itself dates back to the 1500s. It was initially earmarked to become housing in 2015 but the application was withdrawn and later landlords, Tony and Julie Chalker, took over the operation.
But last May, Tony was rushed to hospital with lifethreatening injuries after he was punched in the throat by a punter.
It happened after things turned nasty when he asked a group of 30 to leave.
He said: “All the doctors said ‘we don't know how you're alive’.
“They kept bringing students in to look as they said they probably won’t ever see someone in my condition again.
“I was just lucky there were paramedics there already enjoying their night.”
Tony spent 10 days in hospital with a collapsed throat, concussion and inured spine due to a slipped disc - all things which affected him way after the incident.
The couple left the pub in September last year due to financial difficulties and by
November 2022 it closed its doors permanently. The new plansare to change its use into a farm shop.
The plan shows around two thirds of the floor space wouldbecome the store, with a cafe and bar occupying the rest of the space.
The proposition has riled many.
One village resident took to Facebook to rally support against the plans, sharing a form which offers reasons to keep the building as a pub.
The form notes it could still be a viable business to the right owner and it is unique in the fact it has both indoor and outdoor facilities.
Ian Simmons voiced his concerns in a letter of opposition. He said: "Our worry is that we will lose the oldest pub in the village, the only licensed premises in the village with a lovely outside garden space in spring, summer and autumn. "The existing proposal just looks like a café with a few tables and chairs.”
Valerie Lovett said: "If it is as stated a farm shop and will showcase local produce then fine but it needs to do that. "Realistically we have enough facilities and pubs in the area so I could welcome a shop but it has to work with the community."
Chairman of Yalding Parish Council, Geraldine Brown, said: "There are a lot of pubs in the district.
"I'd rather it was occupied and open to the community."