PUB giant JD Wetherspoon is looking to open a branch in Abingdon’s former main post office in High Street.

The company’s move comes eight years after it failed in its bid to take over the former Congregational Church in Pulpit House, The Square.

The Herald understands the firm is in negotiations over a move into the ex-PO building, but company spokesman Eddie Gershon declined to comment.

However, Mr Gershon said: “Wetherspoon has been keen to open a pub in Abingdon for many years and the company is as keen as ever to do so.

“The company has enjoyed great success with its pubs in Oxford and Bicester, so Abingdon is a natural place for a Wetherspoon pub.”

Town landlords and business representatives gave a mixed response to the news.

A town landlord, who asked not to be named, said smaller pubs would not be able to compete with Wetherspoon’s buying power and cheap food and drink prices.

He said: “It will do massive damage to us. It will put half of us out of business.”

Steve Hipgrave, landlord at the King’s Head and Bell in East St Helen Street, said: “Everyone would be affected by it. But rather than sitting back and feeling sorry for myself I would think of ways to retain customers and drive business.

“Whereas Wetherspoon can offer value, we can offer more in terms of tradition and personality.”

Hilary Collis, landlord at the Blue Boar in Bath Street, said: “Having a new business in the town can only be a good thing as we have to keep people in Abingdon.”

Paul Townsend, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, said: “It would be great to see the old post office turned into something as it is a big building on the High Street. But whether Wetherspoon would be a good thing or a bad thing, I do not know.”

Mr Townsend, who owns E & R Goff newsagents in Bridge Street, said: “It could affect the other pubs in the town as they are a big chain and a cheap one.”

Johanne Green, spokesman for the Abingdon branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “It might be a good idea, if they can get more people to get out they always might visit other pubs.

“From a drinkers’ point of view, it would be nice to have more choice.”

JD Wetherspoon would need planning and licensing permission from Vale of White Horse District Council for the move.

The company wanted to buy the old Congregational Church building in 2003, but the owners Market Place Design sold it to another bidder and it is now occupied by an Ask restaurant.

The town’s main PO closed and relocated to the Co-op supermarket in West St Helen Street in January 2009.

Elsewhere in the county, JD Wetherspoon opened The Penny Black in Bicester’s former main post office in Sheep Street in 1997.

This year, the company also won permission to open a branch in the former Palace nightclub building in Market Square, Witney, despite a 228-signature petition against the move.