GBP2m family pub planned

A NEW GBP2 million pub and restaurant aimed at families with youngchildren is planned in Weston-super-Mare.

Whitbread wants to build one of its Brewsters outlets alongsidethe main road into the resort from the M5 junction at St Georges atthe junction of Herluin Way and Aisecombe Way on the Great Westontrade park.

A Whitbread spokeswoman said it would create about 50 full andpart-time jobs, and described Brewsters as "a heaven for kids and ahaven for parents." The restaurant would have a children's funfactory, filled with games and play equipment.

It would be covered by CCTV so that parents could watch theirchildren at play from the restaurant.

A planning application for the Brewsters has been submitted toNorth Somerset Council.

It will be in competition with two other pub/restaurants along thelink road. The Bucket and Spade, on the West Wick roundabout at thejunction with Summer Lane, has an indoor children's play area calledthe Wackey Warehouse.

There is also the Pavilion Beefeater restaurant and travel lodgeclose to Hutton Moor leisure centre.

Councillor Elfan ap Rees, North Somerset's Executive member foreconomic development, said Weston needed jobs but was not sure if theproposed Brewsters would be in the right place.

He said: "Competition is something which every good businessneeds.

"The question which has to be judged is whether its appropriate tointroduce this type of use into an area which is really developed forlight industrial type of employment."

Councillor ap Rees said the application would have to beconsidered in the light of the council's planning policies and itwould be for the west area committee to make a final decision.