CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a Sedgley pub have vowed to fight on into 2015 to keep their beloved boozer.

The future of the Seven Stars on Gospel End Road is hanging in the balance after planners at Dudley Council rejected an application to extend the building as part of proposals to turn it into a food store.

Owners Marston’s Estates Ltd say the pub is surplus to requirements but activists including political rivals from Labour and UKIP say it is a vital focal point for their community.

Sedgley councillor Bill Etheridge MEP said: “We will fight every step of the way, they will realise it’s simply not worth it because public opposition against them is so great.”

Labour’s Dudley North MP Ian Austin, who has also been campaigning against the closure of the pub, described the planning committee decision as a big step forward in securing the pub’s future.

Mr Austin said: “It’s a huge credit to John Hurst and his team of campaigners who have been working hard on this for months.

“The Seven Stars is a popular and profitable pub, so there’s no reason why it should be closed down or turned into a supermarket.

“Instead of trying to flog the building off to make a short-term profit I want Marston’s to look at investing in the pub and I want them to talk to campaigners to see if there are other ways to run it – that’s what I’ll be pushing for in the New Year.”

Members of Dudley’s development control committee have no say over whether the building is leased to a food retailer but they were required to rule on modifications including a shopfront entrance and ramp, new lighting and single storey extension.

Council planning officers recommended approval having concluded the development would serve the needs of the community and not have an adverse impact on business in central Sedgley.

Marston’s seem in no mood to back down afer the officer's recommendation was ignored and have made it clear they will challenge Dudley’s planners by taking the case further.

A Marston's spokesperson said: “We are disappointed about the outcome after the officer's recommendations. When we receive the planning committee's report we will review its comments and will appeal against the decision.”

Meanwhile Cllr Etheridge remains defiant about the future of the popular pub and urged people to show Marston’s that the Seven Stars is to successful to close.

He said: “If they want a fight they will have the fight of their lives, people in this area are renowned for being tuff and we will not accept this.

“I ask all the people of Sedgley to come and use the Seven Stars, the message is ‘use it or lose it’.”