Burton Mail readers have expressed their sadness that a once-popular live music pub could be bulldozed to extend a car park.

It has been revealed that the Wetmore Whistle could meet the bulldozers as bus firm Midland Classic look to extend its own car park at its depot next to the site, in Wetmore Road, Burton.

It comes just three months after the Burton branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK ditched plans to hold meetings, prayers and religious ceremonies at the pub after it sparked criticism over the lack of parking.

The news has been largely criticised by Burton Mail readers who have commented, who expressed their sadness that the pub could be bulldozed.

Theoisok wrote on the Burton Mail's website: "This building is far too interesting to bulldoze. It is in good condition and the application should be blocked in my opinion. It was an ideal location for a music venue as there are no neighbours, it was also a real ale pub where the market is increasing rapidly. I would still be hopeful that it could be sold as pub and/or music venue."

The Wetmore Whistle as it stands now has been forgotten

BurtonTricky agreed, saying: "This is a sad story. In its heyday this was the best pub in town. It had the music, convivial staff and customers, great beer and reasonable prices.

"I think this shows why maybe we should consider how our society is going. As writer and historian Hillaire Belloc once wrote: 'From the towns all Inns have been driven: from the villages most.... Change your hearts or you will lose your Inns and you will deserve to have lost them. But when you have lost your Inns drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England.'"

Heather Corcutt said: "It used to be a great pub and had some great bands there, sad to see it go."

Tim Fletcher agreed, saying: "It's very sad - saw some great bands in here and even went in there when it was the Crown and Anchor. Unfortunately it's one of many much-loved old Burton boozers to have fallen by the wayside."

Meanwhile, Mark Ward said the new application would be more welcome than simply leaving the building to decay. He said: "Sad to see it go but it is just turning into an eyesore as it is, plus this plan is about a million times better than the last proposal for the site."

However, Eric Dowding it would be a different story had the pub been used to its full potential. He said: "Everyone is saying it's a shame, but it's simple economics - not enough punters to make it profitable."

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