A PLAN to transform the former Beales of Bath shop into a J D Wetherspoon pub has been recommended for approval despite fears that it will spell the end for smaller hostelries in Devizes.

There are also fears that the new pub, which is likely to undercut others on the price of alcoholic drinks, will encourage drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

The property in St John's Street is currently boarded up and in a derelict condition. The previous owners were unable to afford urgent repairs to the fabric of the Grade two-listed building.

It is thought that Wetherspoon was the only company prepared to carry out the essential work, which is likely to cost more than £1 million.

Wetherspoon's scheme is due to be decided on by Kennet councillors next Thursday.

The national chain wants to convert the ground floor to what it describes as a traditional ale house and wine bar, with no smoking zones and a family area. There would be a long bar on one side and a kitchen behind the bar.

Six letters of objection have been received by Kennet complaining about the potential for anti-social behaviour and claiming there are already enough pubs in the town centre.

This theme is also taken up by Wadworth, the Devizes brewers which owns many pubs in the area.

The company, supported by the local branch of the Licensed Victuallers Association and the proprietors of the Bear Hotel, the Black Swan and The Pelican, submitted a statement in objection to the plan.

They wrote: "There are enough pubs in Devizes for the trade that exists, and therefore the proposals will spread the profits more thinly and take jobs away from other pubs and cafs in the town.

"The proposals will result in the closure of smaller public houses which cannot compete on prices with a much larger company.

"Wadworth is the jewel in Devizes' crown, bringing many visitors to the town with its traditional dray horses, but it is not in a position to compete with a much larger company."

Wadworth's says it is currently investing over £1 million on the Bear Hotel, which is approaching the end of a major refurbishment of all its rooms, its ballroom, cellar bar and restaurants. The brewery is now concerned that its investment is in danger from the competition that the new Wetherspoon pub will bring.

But not all licensees in the town are against Wetherspoons' plan. Gary MacMartin, who runs the Four Seasons in High Street and the Rising Sun in Southbroom Road, said: "I'm happy for Wetherspoon to come to town. It will attract more clientele to the town. It runs a responsible drinking policy, which I feel will benefit us all."

A report from planning officer Rob Parker says that competition is not something that councillors will be able to take into consideration as a planning issue.

He said: "The Government has always made it clear in its advice to local planning authorities that it is not the purpose of the planning system to prevent competition.

"It would be extremely difficult to objectively justify the claims that there are enough public houses in Devizes and no reliable evidence has been brought forward to justify any claim that a Wetherspoon operation would encourage crime and anti-social behaviour by specialising in selling cheap alcohol in large volumes, any more than any of the existing public houses in Devizes.

"Officers consider that a Wetherspoon establishment would contribute positively to the vitality and viability of Devizes town centre in the same way as any other licensed premises."