Pub chain pulls out of town centre plan

11:24am Monday 5th November 2001

WORK to complete a development in Swanley town centre ground to a halt after Wetherspoons pulled out of plans to open a new pub last Friday.

Wetherspoons had plans for the parade site next to the main post office, London Road, which was the last major undeveloped site in the town centre. It had to withdraw because it was too expensive.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said: “The site was too expensive for what we wanted to do.”

Swanley mayor, Councillor Frank Parker, said: “It could be at least another year until we see the town centre completed which is very sad and disappointing. It might be a chance to see another company come into the town but we struggled the last time.”

Swanley and District Chamber of Commerce secretary Brian Stacey agreed it would take some time.

He said: “It points to what we have said all along. It's too small for most acceptable uses and we would like to see a joint development of the site with the post office.”

Sevenoaks District Council, which owns the site, is looking at alternatives. A spokesman said: “The developer is now looking into alternative uses for this town centre location.”