A LANDLADY is today fearful she will soon be out of a job and a home if proposals to knock down her pub go ahead.Sue Irvine claims she has turned around The Haven pub, in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, since she took over as landlady a year ago and is worried that all her efforts will be in vain.

A LANDLADY is today fearful she will soon be out of a job and a home if proposals to knock down her pub go ahead.

Sue Irvine claims she has turned around The Haven pub, in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, since she took over as landlady a year ago and is worried that all her efforts will be in vain.

McCarthy and Stone are proposing to knock down the pub and turn it into a private, retirement development. It would be made up of a mix of one-and two-bedroom private apartments, and on-site facilities would include a 24-hour personal emergency service, a house manager, a central lounge for social events and guest suite.

Ms Irvine, who has two children, said: “Before I came here, there had been a lot of problems with fighting and the customers were taking over.

“Now it is different and has got a nice local trade. People come in here because they feel comfortable and don't feel threatened.

“We are not too happy about the proposals but I think the locals feel it is out of their hands. I would be out of a job and home. I don't know what I would do or where I would go.”

She claimed that a lot of pubs across the country are closing down, which is partly down to the lack of business following the smoking ban and competitive prices for alcohol in the supermarkets.

She added: “Post offices are closing down and now pubs are closing. It seems that everything that is community-based is closing.”

Trevor Salmon, 35, , a regular at the pub, said: “I would not be too impressed if it goes. I have been coming here for a long time and we are just like one big family here.

“Sue has really tried to make this pub into something but now she is getting dumped on.”

Around 50 people attended an information afternoon, where they had the chance to meet representatives from the company and ask questions about the proposed scheme before planning permission is sought.

A spokeswoman for McCarthy and Stone could not give an indication of when the development would go ahead if approved.

She added: “We had some very positive responses from the information day. It was a chance for local residents to drop in and view the plans.”

Are you a regular at the pub or a resident that has strong views about this potential development? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.