ANOTHER nail could be hammered into the coffin of Hereford's pub trade as plans to close a popular city drinking hole are revealed.

The owners of The Broadleys want to turn the pub into a convenience store saying it would be the best use for the future of the site on the junction of Ross Road and Holme Lacy Road.

Should the idea be approved, it would leave just three pubs in South Wye – the Vaga Tavern, Wye Inn and the Treacle Mine.

But the Broadley's landlady, Tina Carey, says she will fight tooth and nail for the venue to remain as it is.

"I will do everything I can to support the Broadleys staying as a pub," she said. "It would be a crying shame for it to close. It's a beautiful pub."

The pub was sold by Marston's to NewRiver Retail last year. NewRiver is now working with the Co-op to deliver the store. It is understood that planning permission is not needed for the change of use, only for any additions to the building.

But Ms Carey, who has been at the pub since November 2011, says she has doubts whether any application would be approved.

"It is situated on the junction which is very busy," she said. "You only have to look at the Tesco Express down the road and the number of cars coming in and out of that. It will be horrendous."

She also raised fears of a knock-on community blow to other pubs, particularly as the many phat, pool and quoits teams based at the Broadleys would not visit other pubs to play matches should they be disbanded.

Holme Lacy Road is already home to a Tesco Express on the site of the former Gamecock pub and a Co-op.

Mark Haslam, from Herefordshire CAMRA, says he can't believe the idea has been put forward.

"The pub is so important to the local community," he said.

"If it shuts it would mean there will be a (South Wye) population of 16,800 with just three pubs."

Broadleys regular Dave Preedy, who lives nearby, said he plans to set-up an online petition against the move, while ward member Cllr Chris Chappell said he would be fighting the plans on a number of grounds, including access.

"There will be three lorry deliveries a day there," he said. "It's difficult enough to get in and out of at the best of times."

Martin Hughes, spokesman for NewRiver Retail, said: “Having carefully considered the future of the site we have come to the conclusion that the best use for it is as a convenience store.

"We will be giving further information to nearby residents and businesses about the plans, which will be subject to the normal planning applications procedure.”

The Co-op's head of acquisitions and new store development, Rob Bignold, said the store would "greatly improve the shopping experience and choice for residents".

A public meeting to discuss the plans will be held at the pub tomorrow from 7pm with Mr Haslam and Hereford MP Jesse Norman set to attend.

• Meanwhile, the Saracens Head, on St Martin's Street, has three parties showing an interest in taking it over, according to commercial property agent Sidney Phillips.