THE man behind Spark:York says he hopes to transform a pub threatened with demolition into a community hub.

In a separate project Social Vision founder Joe Gardham believes his plan will help regenerate the Acomb and Holgate area of the city.

Mr Gardham says that he wants to create an exciting, vibrant venue at The Carlton Tavern site with a restaurant, deli, enterprise hub and even a microbrewery to create jobs and provide a place for families to meet.

“We have submitted a proposal to save this much-needed pub from being demolished and replaced with a luxury care home and have made a bid to Marston’s the seller,” Mr Gardham said.

“The pub has significant heritage and serves a need in the area.

“We’d like to support local people in this ward with its struggling local economy through an enterprise hub and by employing 25 per cent of the staff from marginalised communities.

“It would help regenerate Acomb. Acomb/Holgate, which is now a popular area full of young working families with no resources. And continue to offer affordable meals and a meeting place for the isolated elderly.

“We want to bring passion and innovation to inject life into the area.”

City of York Council’s planning committee in October voted by a narrow margin to demolish the tavern, but following public objections and a campaign to save the pub, announced the plans would have to go through the committee again, with fresh debate and a second vote due tomorrow.

Developer Crown Care wants to demolish the Victorian villa, which dates back to the 1880s, and build a new 79-bed care home in its place, but campaigners said the pub was a valued community and heritage asset.

Last week, The Victorian Society set up an online petition to save the pub, and more than 1,000 people have already signed up.

Local resident and campaigner Louise Ennis said: “It is clear to over a 1,000 objectors that the community benefit of the Carlton outweighs that of a five star care home for less than 100 people. There are other luxury homes nearby that are sitting half empty.”

Acomb Cllr Keith Myers added: “My overriding concern is the loss of a unique building in the Acomb area. We have more than our fair share of older people’s accommodation in our area.

“The Carlton Tavern should be retained and used for our community”