The Sportsman, a former pub located at 73 Bath Road in Bridgwater, is slated to be converted into a convenience store despite community concerns regarding insufficient parking.
The pub closed its doors in late November 2025, with landlords John and Debbie Dee revealing on social media that the establishment had been “sold by the owner despite being an excellent and popular pub.” Following the closure, local business owner Jig Patel submitted plans in April to transform the property—situated at the corner of Bath Road and Union Street—into a retail convenience store.
Somerset Council has approved the proposal, even though several residents expressed unease about the limited parking facilities available to accommodate anticipated customer traffic. The planned store will retain the existing two car parking spaces and add six cycle racks on-site but will not expand vehicle parking capacity.
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The building’s first-floor accommodation will remain unchanged, while a new entrance door and roller shutter will be installed for security purposes. The convenience store will encompass 204 square meters of retail space and is expected to operate daily from 6 am to 11 pm, creating up to three full-time and four part-time positions.
A representative from Clive Miller Planning, acting on behalf of Mr. Patel, stated that the former pub had been marketed for over 18 months without success, emphasizing that the development replaces one local service with another. They argued that though other pubs remain nearby—such as the Cross Rifles and the New Market Hotel—there is limited access to convenience shops in the vicinity, with the closest being Bath Street News, which operates under restricted hours.
Despite these assurances, nearby residents voiced strong concerns. J. Murray, a Bath Road resident, highlighted current traffic congestion fueled by takeaway restaurant patrons parking illegally on double yellow lines. They pointed out safety risks at the nearby blind junction where children and cyclists use the pedestrian access on Union Road.
Union Street resident Trevor Champion described evening parking as “a nightmare,” noting that inconsiderate parking forces residents to exit their homes into unsafe conditions. He also lamented the transformation of what was once a tranquil neighborhood into an area plagued by antisocial behavior and fly tipping.
John Watkins, also from Union Street, warned that the new shop could exacerbate existing problems involving alcohol and drug-related antisocial behavior, violence, and vandalism. He questioned where new employees would park and criticized the trend of replacing pubs and community spaces with convenience stores, gaming outlets, vape shops, and HMOs. Watkins called on Bridgwater Town Council and Somerset Council to prioritize rebuilding community cohesion over divisive developments.
The council’s approval came via delegated powers granted to planning officers, sidestepping a public hearing by the planning committee responsible for major applications in the former Sedgemoor area.