A LANDLORD has told how Ipswich residents need to support their local pubs - or risk losing them for good.Mik Stoddard, landlord of the Golden Hind in Nacton Road, was speaking out after plans to demolish the nearby Racecourse, which closed last year, were submitted.

A LANDLORD has told how Ipswich residents need to support their local pubs - or risk losing them for good.

Mik Stoddard, landlord of the Golden Hind in Nacton Road, was speaking out after plans to demolish the nearby Racecourse, which closed last year, were submitted.

Mr Stoddard, who is vice-chairman of Ipswich Barwatch, expressed sadness that the pub nearest to his own may be demolished.

And he warned people in local communities that they needed to support their local pubs rather than buy cheap alcohol from supermarkets, otherwise others could suffer the same fate.

“I regret the loss of any local pubs and I am also aware than nationally we are losing about 35 to 39 pubs a week,” he said. “The message has got to get out that staff at the pubs which are left are trying to encourage people to use their local facilities. My attitude is that we put on as much as we can for the local communities and try and make pubs the hub of the community but if the local community do not use the pub because they go down to the supermarket to buy cheap alcohol then they will lose it.”

SEH Developments have submitted plans to demolish the former Racecourse pub and develop a retail space with access, parking, landscaping and a service yard.

Under the proposals submitted to Ipswich Borough Council, the new development would create between 20 and 30 full and part time jobs.

Mr Stoddard said he would like to see any new development support the local community rather than affect the demand for other local business.

“If something goes up in its place which is there for the local community and will benefit more people than a pub running at a loss then I am for it, but if it is just another multi-national having its cheap food and drink on site and effecting the demand of local business then I am not at all for it.”

The Racecourse closed after its owner, Punch Taverns, said the smoking ban had badly dented trade. The pub was opened by Tolly Cobbold in the 1930s to serve the developing south east Ipswich estates.