THE successful pressure group which helped save the Haden Cross Inn has offered a helping hand to the regulars of endangered pubs in Halesowen and Cradley.

The Friends of Haden Cross Inn fought off plans for a supermarket on the car park and are on the road to having the pub listed as a community asset by Sandwell Council.

The News revealed a list of 11 pub sites across Dudley borough which New River Retail want to build Co-operative stores on including Halesowen's Maypole and Hasbury Inn and Cradley's Round of Beef.

Chairman of the Friends Tim Haskey said: "If these communities want advice and support to help save their pubs, they know where we are and we are more than willing to share our experiences.

"They needn’t think it’s a done deal as some of the community around us did and sometimes the small guys can win, but you have to be committed to the fight. "

He added: Do we really want to allow New River Retail and the Co-op to eradicate our historic English pub culture? I thought the foundation of the Co-Op was ethical community support it seems the reality is the balance sheet and cheap commercial property at the expense of pubs as soft pickings.

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."