Largs pubs and restaurants are united against the arrival of superpub chain Wetherspoon, which would ‘ruin’ the town, according to a pub owner representing the town’s hospitality trade.

However, Wetherspoon countered that the move would have a ‘positive’ effect.

Stephen McDonald, who owns both Lounge and Room, and Niven Paterson, who runs Ye Olde Anchor Inn, spoke to Largs Community Council on behalf of 21 Largs hospitality traders and urged the group to oppose any licence application for the proposed Gallowgate Street premises.

“The hospitality trade, businesses and the BID all work hard to preserve the heritage of Largs, while still driving forward,” he told the community council.

“If we allow a superpub with a capacity of almost 400, there is going to be a problem. We want to raise the profile of the town for tourism and are already losing two indoor facilties.” Mr McDonald said that the proposal would create an overprovision of licensed premises in the town - with its planned capacity of around 370 people a ‘23% increase’, on the current position.

He added that the sale of cheap drink, with which independent landlords could not compete, and a proposed early 7am licence, would be at odds with the Scottish Government and local government which aims to tackle the impact of alcohol misuse.

He said that the cheap drink would encourage ‘people who want to increase their alcohol intake’ from other towns to drink in Largs, and would end up ‘ruining our town’.

“We don’t currently have any vacant premises in the Main Street, but I foresee it becoming like Gallowgate Street, with pubs, cafes and restaurants closing.” Mr McDonald asked the community council to object to any Wetherspoon application, or suggest conditions that had previously been in place at Lanes.

He said: “The only reason Wetherspoon have been able to take this forward is because of the ‘grandfather rights’ which allow the original licence to be transferred when a new law was adopted in 2009.

“When an alcohol licence was granted to Lanes in 2003, it was conditional on there being entertainment.

“Wetherspoon pride themselves on having no entertainment.

“If a licence is to be granted it should be similar to the previous conditions - with a reduced capacity and a requirement for entertainment provision.” Mr McDonald pointed out that the licensing board was required to look at the impact on health and alcohol misuse when looking at a licensing application. He also said he had personally visited Helensburgh to see the impact of a new Wetherspoon there.

He told the community council: “There was a big impact, with pubs closing and independent pubs being taken over by breweries. Largs prides itself on being an independent town.” However, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We appreciate the views of other hospitality traders in Largs, however, we believe that the opening of a Wetherspoon pub will have a positive effect for the town.

“Not only will it offer more choice for people, but we believe a new Wetherspoon pub will act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in Largs itself.

“We do not believe whatsoever that a Wetherspoon pub will ‘ruin’ the town; on the contrary we believe it will be a benefit to the town as has been shown in other towns and cities throughout Scotland where Wetherspoon has opened a pub.

“There is already competition between the hospitality traders in Largs and the opening of a Wetherspoon pub would add to that competition, which we believe is good news for those wishing to enjoy a drink and something to eat in the town.” Councillor Tom Marshall, vice-chair of the licensing board, said that he could not comment on an individual application but wanted to outline the board’s approach.

He said: “There is a presumption against new licenses, particularly off-sales, but general policy is to consider each case on its merits. In the North Coast there isn’t the same regard to the overprovision of licensed restaurants as they are considered part of the tourist trade. This application will be regarded as a restaurant.”