WIMBORNE’S smaller pubs will be squeezed out when the new £1.2million J D Wetherspoon opens its doors later this month, it is feared.

Bar staff will start pulling pints at The Man In The Wall, in West Borough, on Tuesday, January 17.

Residents have mixed reactions, with many saying the town already has enough pubs.

Mike Kay works as bar supervisor at The White Hart, in Crownmead.

He said: “In terms of local pub trade this is going to hit a lot of places hard.

“There are a couple of pubs that I do not think will survive. A lot of places are already struggling and a few will go under.

“It’s inevitable really.”

Independent pubs unable to sell stock as cheap as the national chain will suffer, he predicts.

“Many people were not too worried at first but now they’re starting to,” he said.

“The size of the place – it looks like it will have 300 – 400 covers and that will be the problem.”

Sally Coates, of Oakley Road, said: “It’s quite a nice and cheap pub for Wimborne where you can get a hot meal and it’s better than the building just being left to go derelict.

“There are a lot of people in Wimborne and a lot of people come to Wimborne. Summer holidaymakers must be good do not think it’s a bad idea.”

Retired June Searle, from Broadstone, said: “A Wetherspoons opened near us and we don’t care for it.

“I think it will definitely take business away from the smaller people.

“They’re as bad as supermarkets taking over from the independent shops.”

Retired illustrator John Stewart, 71, from Colehill, liked the look of the new venue but said: “I’m sad that this has happened though.

“Seeing more and more small businesses closing is a concern.”

Retired Margaret Dufall, from Woodlands, plans to go for lunch when it opens.

She said: “I was just saying how much smarter it looks.

“I think they’ve done a lovely job of it. A lot of pubs in Wimborne are really for youngsters, but a Wetherspoons is more for taking your family.”

Her friend Ann Hand, from Colehill, said: “A lot of pubs in Wimborne are going anyway.

“Wetherspoons have brought the old Conservative Club back to life, it was getting more and more run down.”

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “Wimborne is another attractive town and is a very good site.

“We are confident that the new pub will be a good addition to Wimborne's community.”

Factfile

WIMBORNE Minster has been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for more than 1,300 years and is known for its chained library and fine tombs.

Anthony Ettrick, known as ‘the Man in the Wall’, has a curious burial place inside.

A local magistrate, he obtained permission to make a recess in the wall where his colourful coffin was placed in his lifetime.

Convinced he would die in 1693, Ettrick had the date painted on the side. However, he did not die until 1703, and the date was altered.

The pub will show local history artwork and information boards, plus a brick sculpture of a face in the wall by Julie Miles.