A NATIONAL pub chain has dismissed concern over its plans to move into Richmond.

Landlords meet on Monday to thrash out a plan of action which they hope will block Wetherspoons' bid to convert the post office in Queen's Road into one of 110 new outlets across the UK.

They claim that with new bars already opening to cater for soldiers in Catterick Garrison, they have seen their business plummet by a third over the past five years.

With 38 premises with liquor licences within half a mile of Richmond town centre, they are worried a chain which specialises in cut-price promotions could kill off other pubs.

However, Wetherspoons' spokesman Eddie Gershon said the company had a long way to go before it could be sure of a place in Richmond.

He said: "We have to get planning permission and then a drinks licence and anyone has the right to object as part of the process.

"Wetherspoons is respected both within the industry and by its customers. We own over 400 pubs around the country and, although no one can claim never to have experienced trouble, it is safe to say our record is good.''

If the Wetherspoons project goes through, blueprints submitted to the council confirm it would also mean the demise of the post office in Queen's Road, which would become part of the new bar and restaurant.

However, post office management remained adamant this week they had no plans to relocate.