Plans for pub at former newspaper offices approved

The Stoke Mill was a former Surrey Advertiser building

Plans to transform a vacant Surrey building into a riverside pub has been approved.

Stoke Mill, in Guildford, was previously used as the Surrey Advertiser offices and has been empty since 2021.

Brewing company McMullen wants to turn the site into a pub and restaurant with outdoor seating.

Guildford Borough Council approved the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, citing a need for a "vibrant pub for the community and employment benefits", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillors recognised there were some concerns, but added that leaving the building unused and empty would "ultimately be worse and could attract antisocial behaviour".

Councillor Howard Smith said: "So much of the riverside in Guildford is inaccessible or covered by carparks, and to have something where people can enjoy the riverside is absolutely fantastic."

According to the documents, the plan would also see a smaller building near Woking Road knocked down, several extensions added and the car park rearranged to create space for bikes, electric car charging and more tables outside overlooking the river.

More than 20 people objected to the plans, arguing the historic building should be locally-listed and Stoke Mill should be used as an arts or heritage centre instead.

Other concerns included noise from outdoor drinkers and how it would affect neighbours.

But planning officers said the "benefits outweigh the downsides", such as no extra flood risk and that traffic and wildlife impacts have been addressed.

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