PUBGOERS across Halesowen and Cradley will be drowning their sorrows after it emerged more pubs are set to be bulldozed to make way for supermarkets.

An explosive Dudley Council briefing document, leaked to the News, reveals New River Retail are planning to close The Hasbury Inn, The Maypole and one of the most well known pubs in the Black Country - The Round of Beef.

New River Retail is a retail estate investment company, who bought 202 Marstons pubs, which converts pubs into shops and work in partnership with Co-operative supermarkets.

Cradley councillor Richard Body is dismayed the pubs are under threat.

He said: "It is a tragedy so many of these pubs are going to be converted into supermarkets nobody wants.

"In Cradley we have lost The Gate and The Chainmaker in the last month and to find we could lose The Round of Beef, which is so well known and seemingly doing well, is awful news."

He added: "These pubs are focal points of the community and once they close they are gone forever.

"We need to do everything we can to stop New River Retail and other developers calling time on a way of life in the Black Country."

Patrons of The Round of Beef are furious their beloved boozer is set to be replaced by a supermarket and eight residential flats.

Regular for 20 years Darren Pickett said: "The Round of Beef is iconic and a real landmark in Colley Gate.

"Everyone knows where it is, people give directions based on the place as it has been here for generations."

He added: "I am willing to join any campaign to keep this place open, it is important to the community of Colley Gate and Cradley."

Keith Upton, aged 64, added: "There are already enough supermarkets around here and we do not need another one where as we are losing pubs every week."

The briefing document reveals The Hasbury Inn, Hagley Road will be converted into a supermarket whilst The Maypole, Bassange Road, Summerhouse, Woodsetton, The Round of Beef, Windmill Hill, The Bird in Hand, Oldswinford and the Fiddlers Arms, Lower Gornal will be demolished to make way for shops.

No plans have yet been submitted to Dudley Council.

A spokesman for New River Retail said: “We are in pre-application discussions with Dudley Council about a number of pub sites which were acquired at the end of 2013 from Marston’s plc.

"The nature and timing of any planning applications have not yet been finalised, but when they are, we will be taking steps to inform the local community."