Protest to save The Ashley Hotel which was owned by former Saints and Arsenal footballer Charlie George

Customers of the Ashley Hotel in Ashley Road, New Milton, will gather in the car park to protest at plans to convert the watering hole into a convenience store.

The pub, which has been at the heart of the local community since the 1930s, closed last Monday.

More than 100 regulars crowded into the bar to say farewell to staff and mourn the passing of their favourite meeting place, once owned by former Saints and Arsenal footballer Charlie George (see below).

It closure, which follows the demise of the nearby Oak & Yaffle three years ago, has left the Ashley area without a pub.

One of the people taking part in the protest, Kelly Beard, said: “We don’t want another convenience store in the village, we want a pub.

“The Ashley Hotel was the hub of the community, somewhere that people could meet up with their families and socialise.

“Everyone was made welcome and there was always a lovely atmosphere. Some of the locals have been drinking there for 30 years.”

Admiral Taverns has sold the pub to Salisbury-based Culverhill Retail, which is planning to convert the building into a shop in a move that will create up to 20 jobs.

Kelly added: “The landlord, Craig Galpin, put in a bid for the pub but was out-bid by the convenience store people.

“We’re outraged at its closure. The nearest pub is now the Rydal in Station Road, New Milton, which involves a three-mile walk.”

The Ashley had a troubled history. In March 2010 its licence was suspended for 28 days by New Forest District Council after police alleged that the pub was plagued by violence, drug abuse and heavy drinking.

Officers also accused staff of serving alcohol to people who were drunk or under-age.

But Kelly said the pub had managed to put its problems behind it.

“It wasn’t a trouble place,” she said. “It used to be six years ago but it changed and was a really nice place to drink.”

The protest is due to take place tonight at 5.30pm.