2:24pm Friday 25th April 2008
By Lucy Buckland
PUB giant J D Wetherspoon has made a surprise bid to move to Calne.
The company confirmed it was interested in buying a town centre property.
It is believed the chain, which has 692 pubs in the UK, wants to buy and renovate a listed building in Church Street.
Wetherspoon, known for knockdown booze prices, had expressed an interest in H M Furniture on Church Street.
Owner Barry Lane said: "We first heard they were interested in July last year and they told us to stop trading in January so we sold all our stock.
"But three months later we have heard nothing and have lost that time in trading. Now we are just waiting to see what happens.
"It is a lovely building with plenty of space and would make a great pub. But at this point nothing has been agreed and no contracts have been signed."
Mr Lane, who also owns H M Foam on Shelbourne Road, said he had heard that Wetherspoon was looking at other properties in Calne.
Richard Snell, landlord of The Kings Arms, welcomed the news. He said: "I think this is fantastic for Calne.
"If there were more attractive pubs in Calne it would mean people would stay in the town for a night out and healthy competition is always good in a town centre.
"We might lose out on some food trade but all that means is we will have to think up new and exciting ideas for our menu.
"With a Wetherspoon's people would be more encouraged to go on a pub crawl in Calne and there would be more of a vibrant nightlife."
Coun John Ireland said a chain pub would mean stepped-up security in the town centre. He said: "Wetherspoon's employ regulated door staff and would keep trouble to a minimum. These plans might even mean more police would patrol the town centre."
Frankie Durham, 20, of Kingfisher Court, said: "It would make a great social meeting place for Calne, especially for young people.
"At the moment there is nowhere for people in their late teens or early 20sto drink and this would be great."
A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: "We are actively seeking premises in Calne and hope to find a suitable place in the future."
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