YORK could lose four pubs in the space of a few months after a developer unveiled plans to turn another one into houses.

Suzanne Shaw, who bought The Cygnet in Price Street, off Nunnery Lane, 18 months ago, said it has not proved viable as a business and she now wanted to demolish it and build six houses.

The announcement follows the demolition last month of The White Rose in Cornlands Road, Acomb, and similar plans for The Locomotive and The Volunteer Arms, both in Watson Street, Holgate.

Mrs Shaw said she knew the pub had a troubled financial past when she bought it from Punch Taverns in 2009, but was confident she could turn it round.

She said: “When we took over, we attempted to broaden the pub’s appeal and offered numerous events to increase its profile in the locality, including barbecues, discos, darts teams, etc.

“Despite our best efforts, it has proved hard to alter people’s habits and loyalties.”

She said they had considered providing food, but said that would need substantial investment and said there were no nearby offices that could provide customers.

Michael Green, chairman of Nunnery Lane Residents’ Association, said: “We are very disappointed.

“People round here would like it to be kept because it is a community pub.”

He said custom had fallen before Mrs Shaw took over, but said: “It is building back up and I think there is still potential there for it to come back to full use.”