THE owners of an Alvechurch pub say ‘they need to adapt to survive’ as plans are submitted to create overnight accommodation on the site.

The Coach and Horses Inn on Radford Road has been owned by the Meads family since 1968 and they have recently celebrated their 55th anniversary.

In order to ‘survive’ the current climate, the family have submmitted plans to extend and alter the pub to create 12 hotel rooms, as well as extending the car park to increase the number of disabled car parking spaces.

A heritage statement accompanying the application notes: “Throughout that time, they have had the acumen, hard work and foresight to adapt their business to modern life changes including government legislation, pandemic and financial crises, extending and adapting but retaining the traditional “beer house”.

“With the advent of the popularity of real ale, the Meads formed a microbrewery in the old packhorse stable which exists at the front of the pub, hard on Radford Road.

"They have received several CAMRA awards, amongst others and initially extended the lounge bar to provide extra accommodation as pub grub became necessary.”

To cater for overnight guests the pub plans to open for breakfasts and brunches.

The owners believe that despite the site being located on green belt land, ‘exceptional circumstances apply as they ‘remain concerned with the rapid decline of the public house’.