GUERNSEY BREWERY may not call time on St Saviour’s Tavern after all. No definite decision has been made, but the brewery admitted that it is now considering various options for the bar, known as the Ritz.

There had been an outcry from residents over plans to shut the parish’s only pub.

The brewery wanted to use the site for housing and its plans are still with the Environment Department.

‘We are looking at a variety of options for that particular site and I want to review those options,’ said Bucktrout chief executive Philip Cropley.

‘There are some interested parties and I want to evaluate those options to see what opportunities there are.

‘I understand the strength of feelings and I have made contact with the petitioner. I understand people’s views and feelings.

‘The pub as it sits at the moment is not commercially viable so I have to look at what options there are.’

Last month a 1,300-signature petition to save the pub was presented to the brewery by campaigners and politicians.

Landlady Wendy Gilbertson said she was pleased to hear some news.

Barman Phil Rouse, 41, said: ‘It’s about time they [the brewery] let everybody know what their ideas are, but I’m not so sure they have known themselves what exactly they wanted to do with it, except make as much money as they can.

‘The resentment we have inside the pub day in, day out is immense. The support we have got, from people on bus parties to old regulars coming in that have not been in for some time, has been overwhelming.’

Hash House Harriers member John Pritchard, 55, a company director, said: ‘They should keep it open – it’s a social meeting place for the local population. Where are the people going to go?’

Deputy Leon Gallienne believes the final decision will depend on the result of the planning application.

‘It’s good to see the brewery are keeping an open mind to other options and they have made a public statement which gives the locals some hope,’ he said.

‘I hope the end result will be the pub survives and the parish keeps its pub in some form.

‘Over recent months, it has been highly recognised that it’s been an emotional subject with locals and islanders as a whole.’