Care home? Give us our local pub! (From Bournemouth Echo)

Care home? Give us our local pub!

7:00pm Friday 2nd May 2008 in

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UPTON residents are to vociferously fight plans to convert the Greenridge pub into a nursing home.

The pub was closed by owners Hall & Woodhouse last month, and the Blandford-based brewery has since announced plans to develop a first-floor care home, with a 8,000 sq m commercial space below.

The Greenridge, previously known as the Upton Hotel, has stood on the Upton crossroads since 1935 and is viewed by many as a focal point for the community.

Simon Thomson, chairman of the Lytchett Minster and Upton Community Association, said the association would battle to retain the historic site for community use and, ideally, as a pub.

He said: "Upton has a population of more than 7,500. It is the second largest town in Purbeck and to leave us with nothing is ridiculous.

"The Greenridge has gone now and we're not going to get it back, but we have to look at how we can develop the site with a pub on it.

"I've not heard anyone say I'm glad it's closed'. Everyone is saying What a shame, it could be so good'."

A friendly, family-orientated pub would be ideal for the site, added Mr Thomson.

Upton councillor Fred Drane said residents wanted to see the character of the town preserved.

He said: "People consider the site the centre of Upton and don't want that ruined.

"There's not much there and we are trying to hang on to what there is.

"It's a beautiful building but it has been left to rack and ruin."

Tiles from the roof of the Greenridge building have already been removed, though Purbeck council would need to grant permission before the building could be demolished.

Hall & Woodhouse cited the effects of the smoking ban and a lack of local support as the reasons for the Greenridge's closure.

David Woodhouse, group managing director, said Dorset was in great need of care home places, and the development would be a boost for both Upton and the wider area.