Co-op to relocate across Castle Cary into former pub

The Horse Pond Inn, based at The Triangle, has been closed for several years

A former pub in the heart of Castle Cary has taken one step further to be transformed into a Co-operative store as part of expansion plans. The Horse Pond Inn, based at The Triangle, has been closed for several years and later sold by estate agent Sprosen Grosvenor.

The listed pub, which also features two flats previously used as hotel rooms, won permission to be converted into a convenience store with a residential dwelling in September 2022. Pegasus Group, on behalf of Co-Operative Group Food Ltd, has submitted plans to install new signage at the former pub in Castle Cary.

Plans show the Co-op signage would appear on the external walls, as well as ‘Welcome to Castle Cary Co-Op’ sign and ‘Car park next left’ signs. Applicants Pegasus Group feel the external lighting of the signs and its design would mean the new signage would be “in keeping with the character of the building as a former public house”.

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Wider plans shown in the documents show the pub’s interior would be radically changed to become a Co-op store with a sales area spanning 3,000 square feet. There would be 13 parking spaces, which include 10 for the store and three private residential spaces.

The applicants said in its heritage statement: “Overall the proposed signage scheme has been designed to respond to the historic character and use of the building as a public house and respect the general character of the street scene. The number of signs has been kept to a minimum and is no more than is required to provide a suitable level of signage and advertisement as to the use of the building and the wider site.”

The Co-op previously said they took over the Horse Pond Inn to allow its existing Co-op store in the town to relocate to a larger premises. The existing shop on Fore Street has been in the town centre for many years and is expected to close before the relocation.

The former Horse Pond Inn is a Grade II Listed pub that has been vacant for many years and featured a bar area, a snug, and a restaurant/lounge area, as well as a 30-metre-long function room and skittle alley. Reviews previously described the pub as a “bizarre shambles” and another reviewer warned would-be visitors to “stop for a pint and no more”.

Comments on the planning application are currently open. The plans can be found on Somerset Council’s planning portal or under the reference 24/00098/LBC.