PEOPLE in Wimborne should find out if they are to gain a Wetherspoons pub in four weeks’ time.

After months of amendments, the chain’s plans to open a new premises in West Borough are ready to go before East Dorset District council’s planning committee on Tuesday, May 24.

Officers, who previously criticised the designs’ lack of detail, now seem satisfied with changes including adding in ground floor toilets and scrapping ideas to rent out an upper-floor flat.

Architects have also tackled basic issues like flue extraction at the old Grade II* Listed Conservative club.

Wimborne town councillors are supporting the bid because it will maintain a historic building, enhance the street’s economic potential and benefit trade in the town, but residents remain divided on the issue.

Helen Kuster, of West Borough, said: “Does Wimborne need another public house offering cut price drink and food to the detriment of long established licensed premises?

“I object to noise in what is largely a residential area. Much work has been done by the existing licencees to discourage trouble makers from the town.”

Others point to employment opportunities and successful Wetherspoon pubs in Broadstone and Ferndown. Roslyn Harris, from Colehill, said: “Wetherspoons have an excellent and award winning track record of refurbishing run down buildings from art deco cinemas to old commercial buildings in cities, disused churches, banks, dilipidated hotels and even funeral parlours.

“This is an opportunity to refurbish and bring back to life an important building.

“Presently it is embarked upon a slow but terminal decline and will, without care and investment, become an eyesore.”

Pub bosses want to open at 7am, serve alcohol from 9am until midnight from Sunday – Wednesday and until 1am Thursday – Saturday.

The licensing committee should consider this bid at their June meeting.