ANGRY customers are in limbo over their pub's future after it was sold, leading to fears it could be demolished for housing.

Customers at the Coppertops in Oldbury Road, Dines Green, Worcester, want buyer Westbourne Leisure to keep a pub on the site whatever happens, even if it is a smaller pub.

If the pub closes it would be the end of an era following the closure of two other watering holes, the Drakes Drum and the Mayflower, leaving the Coppertops as the last pub in Dines Green. Staff had hoped to open a carvery there within the next fortnight but have been told this month the pub could close in January next year, leaving plans in limbo.

John "Bub" Franklin, aged 46 (pictured) has been drinking and socialising at the pub for the last 28 years. His best friends drink at the Coppertops and he said it is increasingly popular with university students. Mr Franklin, who also works at the pub, said: "There's no pubs in Dines Green at all no more. It is the community pub. Everybody here is friendly and easy to get on with. There has got to be a pub here. It doesn't have to be this big but there has to be a pub at this site.

"We have had no information. I would agree with Cllr Udall - they (Westbourne) should let us know where we stand. There would be a massive hole if this goes. People are more angry than anything - they don't know whether there is going to be a pub here or a small pub built. One guy is on about selling his house if it shuts."

Mr Franklin said the pub, which opened in 1969, was also used for darts, pool and skittles with six dartboards in the back room. The pub has played host to the greats of darts, Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Mike Gregory and Steve Beaton not to mention local teams from Kempsey, Malvern and Kidderminster. The pub also has disco nights and has played host to Status Quo. The Magoos played one of their first gigs there. The 50 year lease is up in January next year and the pub has lost four skittles teams since the spectre of closure was raised.

A 34-year-old customer from nearby Ambrose Close who has been a regular since he was 17 and played football, skittles and darts for the pub said he would be 'gutted' if the Coppertops closed.

Westbourne Leisure Ltd, in Birmingham, specialises within the licensed trade industry, and is behind the purchase has yet to release a statement to the Worcester News.

St John's County Councillor Richard Udall has written to Westbourne, seeking answers but has yet to receive any.

He said: "Local pubs are an essential part of any local community. The Coppertops has a special place in the hearts of many people; in the past it has been very popular and many people have been loyal local customers.

"Speculation is high that the new owners intend to demolish the pub and convert it into housing.

"The loss of the Coppertops would be a disaster for the local community, we need assurances that in some form and in some way a local pub will be able to remain on the site. "

Punch Taverns previously owned the pub and a spokeswoman for the company confirmed they sold the pub to Westbourne "around two weeks ago".

Alan Coleman, senior planning officer at Worcester City Council, said the company had made no contact with them and had not submitted any plans. However he said he would engage with them in a positive manner to discuss proposals.

He said an application could either be for a change of use or a full planning application if a developer wanted to demolish and rebuild.

He also said the people in the community did have the option to purchase the pub and register it as a 'community asset'. However, Cllr Udall, who has organised surgeries at the pub, said this could only happen when the pub was up for sale and it has now been sold.

When contacted by your Worcester News, Westbourne were unavailable for comment after previously declining to comment.