Classy pub is planned - but not all happy

But concerns have been raised by some residents who fear the town has reached saturation point in respect of licensed premises.

Preston-based company Inns and Leisure Ltd is hoping to set up a new venue, which would be named Stocks and Shillings, in the former NatWest Bank premises on Market Place opposite the famous old stocks.

The new venue would add a different twist to the already thriving pub, bar and restaurant scene in the town, which is particularly busy on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

But despite the operators’ intentions to make the new venue a ‘high end’ establishment, with sofas, a mezzanine floor and alternative food such as tapas, some residents in the town say a new pub or bar is not needed.

There are concerns Poulton does not have enough new daytime shops offering clothes and other goods and that so many licensed premises could leading to more drunken behaviour,

On Facebook, there were more than 100 comments on the site of group Poulton-le-Fylde Chat, most of which were against the new plans.

One commented: “Poulton will turn into a ghost town in the day and just more alcohol related trouble at night –more shops please.”

Another posted: “We don’t need any more licensed premises.”

Inns and Leisure Ltd, which already runs the successful Old Town Hall real ale pub (inset) across the road in Market Place, declined to comment but pointed to the new establishment being a ‘high end’ pub.