THANK goodness The Press is doing something about trying to give us a say about the fate of our local.

Far too many pubs are being bought by property companies and converted into flats or shops. This is exactly what is likely to happen to The Saddle in Fulford.

A property company has acquired 202 public houses throughout the UK with the intention of converting the bulk of them to Co-op stores. The Saddle is one of these.

We are worried that the pub could be demolished and replaced with a Co-op store and flats. No matter that this is an important building in the streetscape of a conservation area; no matter that there is another Co-op less than 10 minutes away; no matter that it is valued as a local pub by Fulford residents.

The residents of Fulford are fighting back to save one of their favourite pubs. There is to be a public meeting to discuss the planning application on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Village Social Hall in School Lane. Let’s send a signal to these property companies that they’re going to have a fight on their hands.

If you can’t attend the meeting you can still sign the petition at change.org/p/york-city-council-to-reject-the-planning-permission-for-the-closure-of-the-saddle-inn.

Verna Campbell, Fulford Park, Fulford, York.