THE future of a Ribble Valley pub that has served the community for decades is the subject of intense speculation.

The Windmill pub in Mellor Brook was closed and put up for sale earlier this year by owners Enterprise Inns.

It came after an extensive refurbishment in the summer of 2010 at the Preston New Road venue.

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Now residents who want the building to remain in community use are calling for clarity on it’s future.

Cllr Peter Mullineaux, who represents the area on South Ribble Borough Council, said: “From the community’s point of view it would be good if it was retained as a pub and that would be my preference.

“There are lots of rumours flying around but no formal plans have yet been submitted to the council for consideration.

“It has been a pub for quite some time and I would like to see the building be kept for use by the community .”

The rumours have included have that it could be converted into a hotel, Indian restaurant or an Islamic school, but Enterprise Inns said the future use is not yet known.

Stephen Bennett, who has lived opposite the pub for 18 years, said: “The traffic around that junction where the pub sits is a nightmare at the best of times.

“If the building was used for something else it might attract more cars to that stretch of road and cause more problems.

“Pubs in the area are all declining and it would be a shame if it was to be turned into something else.”

Professor Graham Ashworth, chairman of Samlesbury and Cuerdale Parish Council, said: “ Until we have some more details we shall continue to monitor the situation and look on with interest.”

A spokesperson from Enterprise Inns said: “As part of our on going business, we do from time to time identify a pub that may no longer have a long-term future in our estate.

“After careful consideration the decision was made to sell the freehold of the Windmill with no restrictions on future use.

“It has been marketed extensively through our agents Fawley Watson Booth over an extensive period and we can confirm that we are now the process of agreeing a sale.

“The purchaser’s intended future use is not known.”