A CREWE pub which has seen several name changes over the years could close for good if plans to convert it into flats get the go ahead.

The Crafty Beggar, formerly the Blind Beggar and the Albion, has been shut since the lockdown restrictions were ramped up last December and now the owners of the Pedley Street property are considering a new use.

They have submitted a change of use plan to convert the ground floor bar into three one-bedroom apartments.

Cheshire East Council planners are due to determine the application, which has been condemned by Crewe town councillors on the grounds of overdevelopment and "encouraging the proliferation of HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupation)".

The owners of the terrace pub have been hit by adhering to Covid guidelines which have reduced trade. The lack of amenity space outside the Crafty/Blind Beggar will leave it unable to take full advantage of lockdown easing next month.

Agent Ian Boone says in a planning statement: "There have been several landlords who have tried to make the Blind Beggar a viable business, however none have succeeded. The locals it would appear use the other pubs in the area or go into town for a night out."

He says the proposed living accommodation would provide "much-needed good quality ground floor living spaces with low power use and with walking access to town".

But Cllr Marilyn Houston said: "It is turning it into a HMO which we do not want to see in this area. We want higher quality as the whole area is being redeveloped and upgraded and we have too many HMOs."

Town Council planning committee chairman John Rhodes said: "There doesn't seem too much room to swing a cat. It is overdevelopment."

The town council has objected to the plans because of its policy on HMOs, overdevelopment as well as a lack of bin storage, which would lead to a loss of amenity for existing residents with increased street waste, pests and noise.

Plans to convert familiar Crewe watering holes could be repeated elsewhere with the pandemic forcing landlords to consider future trading prospects.

Some are accommodating those by adapting premises, such as the Hope Pole on Wistaston Road where the pub's bowling green is to be converted to outdoor drinking space.

Elsewhere, the Crown Hotel, shut since the first lockdown last March, is set to reopen after a change in ownership. Haydayes Ltd has applied to Cheshire East Council for a premises licence for the sale of alcohol and the provision of live music at the Earle Street hostelry.