WORDSLEY residents are urged to have their say on plans to build a convenience store on a pub car park.

The car park of The Ashwood Inn, Sandringham Place, is to be the new home of a Co-operative foodstore under plans submitted by NewRiver Retail.

However, a public meeting is being held on Friday April 10 and councillor Derrick Hemingsley is asking Wordsley people to attend and give their views on the development.

He said: “It will be a non-political meeting for local residents to come along and speak to a representative from Co-op.

“My fellow ward councillors Paul Brothwood and Glenis Simms have been invited to attend the meeting as we want to hear from the local people as we plan forward.

“I am personally against the plans and I know Paul has his views on them, but I want the rest of the council to hear what the public want, rather than what we want.”

The meeting will take place at Wordsley Community Centre from 6.15pm to 7.30pm.

NewRiver Retail spokesman Martin Hughes said the plans involve creating 20 jobs at the new Co-operative store and employees would be recruited from the neighbourhood.

He also said the firm, which has plans to build convenience stores at 11 pubs across the borough, will not get involved with big public meetings.

He said: “We have said to the council that we would be prepared to meet with councillors to discuss any proposals.

“We will not get involved in big public meetings about small convenience stores but we are happy to meet with representatives from local communities for discussions.”

Councillor Brothwood said he has been in talks with New River Retail and Dudley Council regarding organising a separate meeting to report what was discussed at the public meeting.