Millionaire's wife wants to shut rural inn

The wife of millionaire fashion guru George Davies has upset the drinkers in a Cotswoldvillage ­ by revealing plans to close the local pub and turn it into a private home.

Fiona Davies ­ whose husband created fashion ranges for Next, and launched ASDA's George brand and Marks & Spencer's Per Una range ­ has applied to Cotswold District Council for permission to turn the Horse & Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire, into a dwelling.

The Horse & Groom is the village's only pub and her idea to close it has provoked a storm of protests. A public meeting was held on Saturday for locals to voice their opinions.

Chairman of the parish council Cllr Patricia Hayes said that the village had lost its last shop several years ago and is currently in danger of losing its petrol station ­ so could not afford to say goodbye to its only pub.

"It's absolutely vital that the pub should be regenerated and become an asset to the village and the area," she said.

"It was a lovely pub and a prominent landmark ­ a credit to the area."

Fiona Davies, who lives in Snowshill, bought the Cotswold-stone pub in 1996.