Leeds residents have their say on plans to turn Leeds United matchday pub The Drysalters into coffee shop

A planning application for the “demolition of public house and erection of drive-through coffee shop” has been submitted to Leeds City Council in regards to The Drysalters pub.Based just round the corner from Elland Road, the pub is popular with home and away fans.

The applicants claim the pub had become “increasingly unprofitable” over the years, and that the previous owners, having been unable to revive its fortunes, sold the site for redevelopment.

Yesterday, a mum of three who works behind the bar launched a campaign to stop the Leeds United matchday pub from being turned into a drive-thru coffee shop.

Hayley Guy, born and bred on the Cottingley Estate, works at The Salters and has known the pub her whole life.

Hayley said it would be "insane" to lose the pub in the year Leeds United won promotion.

Hayley, 36, received the sad news from the landlord that the owner was selling up on the day Leeds got promoted.

"It just seems insane to do it," Hayley, who also works as a beauty therapist, said.

"Leeds United have a massive fan base all over the world - the other week we had a fan from Norway in."

Now, the Yorkshire Evening Post readers have had their say on the plans.

Mark Wilson said: "Shocking when there is a coffee shop less than a mile up the road."

Amanda Douglas said she would sign the petition to stop the demolition.

However, other readers said the decision was understandable if the pub was not making money.

Luke Shaw said: "Shame its closing but if its not making money then that is all modern society runs on, times have changed people don't use pubs anymore."

Zoe Duddle added: "We can’t keep everything the same constantly for nostalgia’s sake when there’s not even enough people who care to be able to keep it open.

"If people wanted it, it would be making enough money by itself without needing articles in a newspaper.

"Things can’t be decided by who shouts the loudest, money is what talks when it comes to a business and if one is struggling it’s because the business model is failing and they need to adapt or die."

Members of the public have until Monday, August 24 to register their comments about the application.

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Thank you

Laura Collins