EG On The Move continues its pursuit of former pub sites to convert to forecourts with its third such planning application in recent weeks.
The latest property to be identified by the Zuber Issa-owned group is the closed Tavern on the Hill in the Bolton suburb of Hunger Hill. Although they have little value to other hospitality providers, hostelries like these represent ideal locations for knockdown rebuilds as they tend to be on busy roads with plenty of land.
The Tavern on the Hill, which has been closed for three years, is on the traffic-heavy Wigan Road and is surrounded by housing. The footprint is large enough for a petrol station, drive-thru coffee shop and EV charging, says EG On The Move in its submission. As a pub there were 20 parking spaces, but EG On The Move wants to increase this to 38.
The application envisages the existing 13,832sq ft pub and restaurant building being demolished and replaced with a smaller development which would also include HGV fuelling facilities. EG On The Move estimates the business would support around 40 jobs.
However, even though there is another forecourt 200 metres away, the Top 50 Indie will still have to convince councillors – and local residents – of the merits of its plans.
The Tavern on the Hill was one of the area’s best-known pubs, and, although it has been closed since May 2023, Cllr Andy Morgan, chair of Bolton Council’s planning committee, has said: “There was always some hope that it would come back into use as a pub, diner or something similar,” according to The Bolton News.
The newspaper goes on to quote him as adding: “It’s a shame that we’ve got another proposed soulless service station and coffee shop being put into what is a beautiful part of the town. It’s all open and in the Green Belt, so that’s disappointing.”
Cllr Morgan added: “It’s just a complete drag-and-drop development and they all look the same. There’s no character to them. Alright, they’re providing a service, but I think the owners could have been more creative in what they offered the community.
“It is what it is. We don’t own it. We just have to make sure it’s as appropriate as possible through the planning process.”
Recommendations have been made to install bat boxes if the demolition proceeds, although reports accompanying the application found no evidence of bats roosting within the building.
EG On The Move is facing similar local opposition to its plans to replace two other disused pubs – the Windmill in Cheshire, and Reindeer in Droitwich in Worcestershire – with new to industry sites.
The council is due to make a decision on the Bolton application on December 17.
Bolton Council is expected to make a decision on the Tavern Fayre site application on December 17.
