Crickhowell pub conversion plan sparks protest

Protesters say plans to turn The Corn Exchange in Crickhowell into a shop would 'dramatically change' the town

More than 150 people turned out to object to plans to turn a historical Powys pub into a chain store.

Punch Taverns has lodged a planning application to turn The Corn Exchange in Crickhowell High Street into a shop, with a national retailer interested.

Campaigners say a mini-supermarket, open from 07:00 to 23:00 GMT, would "dramatically" affect the town's independent shops.

Dozens demonstrated against the plan on Friday.

Locals say a national chain could undercut family-run butchers, bakers and existing convenience stores and change the character of the town centre.

More than 1,300 have signed an online petition against the application.

Emma Corfield-Walters, from the Totally Locally Crickhowell Campaign said: "Crickhowell boasts one of the few independent High Streets in Wales, it's one of the towns unique selling points."