Following on from our report on the proposed Wetherspoon pub for Heswall - which will extend the abandoned building on The Mount formerly occupied by The Exchange - the Heswall Society has expressed concern about its operating hours and will resist them.

Wetherspoon's planning application states that it aims to be open between 8am and midnight Monday to Friday; 8am to 1am on Saturday; and 8am to midnight on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Posting on Facebook, the Society said: "Extended hours were rejected in an application from Wetherspoons just a few months ago. Our concern is that they are trying to sneak in extended hours again with some design changes. Last time in their application for an increase in hours they stated that the current hours were due only to COVID restrictions, when we all know The Exchange closed months before the pandemic was even heard of."

However, if social media reaction is anything to go by, many locals - though probably not those living within a stone's throw of the would-be Spoons - believe disruption will be minimal and a price worth paying.

"This is a well known pub brand that will bring in jobs, business and people to a dying area after such a terrible year. Other bars in the area are open late and we have no issues. Let's move with the times, welcome positive change and bring back the high street."

"This has to be a great opportunity for Heswall - jobs, economic growth. Fully support the positivity of others here - Heswall needs to embrace change and encourage new businesses to develop and thrive. I'll be supporting their Application."

"Having visited Wetherspoons in various locations and as they do not generally play loud music and the kitchen closes they are usually quiet late in the evening."

"Just let them be. Heswall is in a bad state as it is. This will be good for Heswall."

"The sooner that boarded up window is replaced the better. Many of us will be working from home more going forward and this spacious building, with incredibly cheap coffee and free wifi will be filled with home workers during the day. No hard feelings on the late opening but as it doesn't play music will people not go elsewhere at that time? It wasn't that long that there was a taxi rank down the side either so the sound of taxis picking up and dropping off is not a new one."

"I'd be happy with it...better than the rundown eyesore it is at the moment."

All of which said, the question was asked: "Why the hell would anyone want a Wetherspoons in Heswall? Or anywhere else?" To which came the reply: "Not everyone wants to pay £6 a pint."

Other voices wished the building could become something else: "Something different like indoor child play."

"People need accommodation renovated, keeping history not bars."

Other dissenting voices expressed concern about the present and future of the town: "Heswall is overrun with late night bars, setting a precedent, so the application will be approved. Heswall used to have a good variety of shops, now it's just bars, coffee shops and hairdressers interspersed with estate agents and charity shops."

The Heswall Society does a great job monitoring planning applications and trying to protect the integrity, character and heritage of the town, and it is keen to stress it is not opposing the redevelopment itself. But going forward it's plain the future will be challenging for Heswall and many towns like it.

The barriers to entry placed in front of anyone hoping to start an independent high street business are high and tangled. Expensive business rates, currently the subject of welcome relief, will return, and rents are far from cheap. And now we have the consequences of a pandemic to deal with.

Though pushing ahead with planning and licensing applications, Wetherspoon says that the Heswall 'Spoons' is very much on hold until the economic landscape becomes clear.