PUB regulars and staff face a battle to save the “only alternative pub in Brighton” from closure.

A campaign has been launched to save the Caroline of Brunswick pub in Ditchling Road, Brighton, which is facing closure.

Pubco owners Punch Taverns have given the pub’s leaseholder Cliff Barnes a year’s notice that his lease will not be renewed next November with the firm looking to develop the city centre site.

Staff believe that the pubco owners may look to convert the four-storey pub into “high-end” housing or run it as a chain pub.

Pub staff said they had been overwhelmed with support for the campaign already as they begin a bid to achieve protective Asset of Community Value (ACV) status for the venue.

The pub has played host to a number of top performers over the years including comics Romesh Ranganathan, Zoe Lyons and Holly Walsh and is expecting to host more top talent during next year’s Brighton Fringe arts festival.

The venue is well-known for its hosting of comedy and music gigs, DJ events and the well-established Nerd Nights of expert talks.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas is already backing the bid to save her namesake.

It is hoped that by achieving ACV status would make the building less attractive to property developers as they would have to keep the ground floor open as a pub.

Manager Tami Lawn said: “We will fight back as much as we can.

“We are feeling pretty good, our leaseholder is feeling good and he’s quite a savvy businessman.

“I don’t think it will be hard to achieve ACV status and then the next step is getting the petition together.

“We really are a unique pub, I think you could say we are the only alternative pub.

“We have had a really good response already, it’s been pretty overwhelming.

“From what we know they might try and turn it into housing, high-end housing or try and turn it into a chain pub.

“I don’t see this type of pub working in replacing the Cas which is one of a kind.”

To help support the campaign visit facebook.com/groups/SaveTheCaz.