The Green Man public house in The Street, Takeley has applied to stop being a pub and become a café/restaurant providing meals and bed and breakfast.

Landlord Paul Brandwood says the village needs a proper, premium coffee house, serving good food. He says the number of people who go into The Green Man just for a drink is only about 10 per day, and not enough to sustain a pub business. Most people want to have a meal or stay the night or both.

In his planning application for change of use, Mr Brandwood said: “We feel this constitutes better use of the building and will provide much-needed community facilities. Takeley needs a proper premium coffee house, serving good food and gelato that will appeal to the vast majority of consumers.”

He added: “Our location is close to Hatfield Forest and the Flitch walkway and is a natural place for providing teas, coffees and good food to walkers, cyclists and families from the estate of nearly 100 houses about to be completed.”

However, some members of the parish council have expressed concern that the number of pubs in Takeley will go down from three to two.

Councillor Jackie Cheetham told The Broadcast: “We feel this is a loss of a yet another community amenity. This will be the last pub in Takeley Street. Some people still want to go out for a pint or a glass of wine and it’s easier to do that if you can walk there.”

The remaining two pubs in Takeley will be The Four Ashes in Brewer’s End and The Three Horse Shoes in Mole Hill Green. The council has said a decision should be made by October 29.