AN HISTORIC pub faces the possibility of closure and demolition once again.

The Twin Foxes, the first pub to be built in Stevenage new town in 1953, could be replaced by flats following an application made to the council.

Despite being closed once before last year, it was reopened shortly after. Robert Reynolds, who took over as the pub’s landlord in February, said: “We’ve been doing our best to attract local people and get the community involved. Our recent family fun days have been a big success and it looked like things were really starting to pick up. It’s really disappointing to think all our hard work could be wasted.”

The pub was given a reprieve from a possible demolition last year when Paul Gould, owner of the old town’s Royal Oak, read about its closure in the Comet and stepped in to help. It now seems their efforts may have been in vain.

Regular Shirley Pike, who works in the nearby Ocean Delight fish and chip shop, has lived in the area for almost 40 years and helped to save the pub once before, heading a petition that amassed over 700 signatures. She said: “We’ve seen this coming for some time. It’s a real shame because there are clearly a lot of people around here who want to see it stay. It’s a social hub for the area, where is the next nearest pub?”

Many in the area have said they would be unhappy to see the pub go. Resident Gemma Phillips, whose home backs on to the pub car park, said: “A block of flats so close to my house would be a major eyesore. People living there would be able to see straight into my garden where my children play.”

Cllr Brian Underwood said the application must be judged on its merits. He said: “It would be a shame to lose if it goes but we have to judge it on the day.”

The application is currently still under consideration by the council with an aim to reach a decision by the end of August. The leaseholders of the pub, J Young Investments, could not be contacted.