Ellesmere Port's Sir Robert pub to be turned into Heron Foods store

The proposal to convert the Sir Robert in Great Sutton into a Heron Foods store, creating 15 jobs, was rubber stamped by Cheshire West and Chester Council today (November 3).

The last pint pulled at the Overpool Road premises was back in March 2020 prior to it being forced to temporarily shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

By the end of June, the pub's tenants announced that it would not be reopening despite the easing of lockdown measures, and confirmed they were leaving.

The pub, which dates back to the 1960s, has been permanently shut ever since with the windows and doors boarded up and the site fenced off.

Owners Red Oak Taverns Limited submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council to convert the pub into a convenience store back in September last year.

In the application, put together on their behalf by CPC Ltd, it stated that the Sir Robert is "no longer viable".

Red Oak Taverns put up a 'to let' board in January 2020 but there was "limited interest" as a result and no offers made for the premises.

"There are thus a number of indicators which highlight that this is an unviable public house, which has been struggling for a number of years", the application stated.

In a planning report recommending approval, it says three public representations were made in relation to the plans including concerns raised over "housekeeping" of the site, devaluation of properties and noise impact from deliveries.

Another issue put forward was the belief that there is a covenant on the pub for 100 years.

Council case officer Emma Sheppard states in her report: "Housekeeping of the site, devaluation of property and possibility for vermin are not material planning considerations.

"Further to this, no reference has been made to the 'garden' area becoming used for sales. Noise impact has been assessed with several conditions to be imposed.

"Covenants are legal matters and not addressed through the planning application process."

Councillor Paul Donovan and his fellow ward members raised no objections but were aware of some neighbours being opposed to the plans and asked for conditions to be imposed to address their concerns.

In her report, the case officer added: "Due to original concerns, discussions have taken place with the agent which has led to reduction in the retail sales area from 336sqm to 280sqm.

"There is a parking area within the curtilage that currently provides 31 spaces. The forms state that this will be reduced to 21 spaces with two disabled spaces and two cycle spaces provided.

"Access to cars will be taken from both existing access points whilst deliveries will be taken from Summertrees Road only. Amended plans have also been secured during the application process that addressed original highway concerns.

"In regard to the first floor, this is indeed surplus to the operator's requirements, and as such will be mothballed, with the first floor windows sealed and no future access from the ground floor. This is why no first floor plans have been provided other than the survey plans.

"The supporting statement acknowledges that Heron Foods, the intended operator for the convenience store, does not currently have a store on Ellesmere Port, and has identified an opportunity to provide a store on this site to serve a local catchment.

"Heron Foods' offer is distinguished from convenience store rivals such as Co-op and Tesco Express by its focus on frozen food, meaning that it complements existing convenience stores in the local area rather than directly competing with them."

She concludes: "The proposed development would bring investment to a currently vacant site within this area of the borough.

"It is further considered that any development impacts associated with the scheme can be mitigated through the use of planning conditions, where necessary.

"The loss of the public house and its contribution to the community should be given significant weight in the determination of this application.

"Notwithstanding the assessment of the loss of the use, the formation of a retail unit with a more specific sale of goods in this location, and given the reduction in gross net sales floorspace, is not considered to be harmful.

"It is further considered that the applicant has adequately justified the loss of the public house in this instance and as such the change of use is recommended for approval."

The proposed opening hours are 8am-8pm, Monday to Saturday, and 8am-4pm on Sundays and bank holidays, with five full-time and 10 part-time employees.