Campaign group wants new talks to save pub

Martin Webb, owner of the Emporium Treasure and Trash, on Dyke Road, Hove, said he was prepared to reopen half the building as a pub and was in discussion with the community.

Speaking to The Argus last week he said: “I have listened to what the locals have said and will reinstate half the building as a pub and half the ground floor will remain as a shop.”

And now the Save the Dyke Pub campaign group, who recently managed to get the pub registered as an asset of community value, said they want to be among those in talks with Mr Webb.

The group said Mr Webb mentioned the subject in an initial meeting back in December and then asked for their backing to build two townhouses in the pub’s beer garden in exchange for reopening half of the 121 year old pub.

A spokesman said this “surprised and confused” them because they believed he had no intention of selling to developers.

He said: “The pub was regularly used by large groups in the community for meetings and the small half of the pub would struggle to provide this facility.

“There are many interested parties wishing to buy the pub and preserve its current form, an outcome that the community supports whole hard-heartedly. “

Should Mr Webb decide to sell the pub, due to the pub being listed as an Asset of Community Value which gives them first refusal, the group will explore ways to raise money to buy the Dyke Pub.

The group is hoping to restore dialogue with Mr Webb in a bid to restore the pub and have a say over its future.

The spokesman added: “We are keeping an open mind and sincerely hope this is not the case but without further dialogue with the owners this becomes increasingly difficult.

“We look forward to further meetings with Mr Webb and his partners to discuss how we can work together to preserve this historic and important community space.

“We are confident that a resolution will be achieved that satisfies both sides.”