TWO Brighton pubs face the prospect of calling time after developers claimed the city centre has too many boozers.

Decisions are expected soon on plans to convert the Albion Inn in Albion Hill and The Rose Hill Tavern in Rose Hill Terrace into housing. A campaign has also been launched to save another Hanover pub, The Horse & Groom.

In total, five Brighton and Hove pubs have been the subject of change-of-use applications in the past five months, including The Cuthbert, The King’s Arms and the Toby Inn.

The latest pub under threat is the currently closed Albion Inn after developers put in new plans to convert it into a four-bedroom house.

The current property owners said Enterprise Inns marketed the freehold of the pub between June and December last year without success.

They propose internal changes and removing the pub sign in the conversion.

The application states that there are 22 other pubs within a ten-minute walk, although they have included the empty Blind Tiger in Grand Parade.

Similar arguments have been used to justify changing the Rose Hill Tavern into a three-bedroom flat, despite campaigners successfully applying for Asset of Community Value (ACV) status.

In a statement on community use issued with the plans, Hove-based Evenden Estates claimed the pub is not a valued community asset, stating beer sales were down 80% since 2004.

The developers’ attempt to review the ACV was due to be heard next week but has been put off to an unspecified date.

The Save The Rose Hill Tavern campaign received a boost last week when Communities Minister Kris Hopkins announced greater protection for ACV pubs.

The change of law followed campaigning by Mid Sussex MP Sir Nicholas Soames and Cuckfield villagers after the Ship Inn became a Co-op.

Residents behind the Save The Groom campaign hope to save the small pub in Islingword Road, Brighton, which is believed to date from the 19th century.

Spokesman Ronnie Day said: “We’re looking at setting up a fighting fund to get the pub back on the map. We are interested in taking it over.

“We’re still not sure what Enterprise’s intentions are. A sign went up for interest in the site but was taken down. We’re not trying to save the world – just trying to save a pub.”

For more details, visit savethegroom.com or email mail@savethegroom.com.

For details on the Rose Hill Tavern, see facebook.com/savetherosehilltavern