An Evening News poll has found that a new East of England Co-op convenience store would be welcomed on the boarded-up site of The Millhouse pub in Thorpe St Andrew, pictured below.

It was revealed last Saturday that Co-op were interested in converting the large pub, in Laundry Lane, which was built in 1961 and known as The Lord Mancroft up until 1995.

A poll at www.eveningnews24.co.uk saw 79pc of people welcome Co-op taking over the site, with over 100 people casting a vote.

Reaction to the news from registered users of www.eveningnews24.co.uk was generally positive as well.

One user, going simply by the name of N, said: 'It's just a shame that another pub is being lost. This smacks of another case of not investing properly, which in turn leads to fewer people wanting to use the pub and then the pub (company) saying it's not a viable business.'

While P Buckell said: 'I think it should be a quality coffee/fast food place and B&B. There are enough convenience stores in Thorpe St Andrew.' Interested parties must now wait to see if Co-op registers a planning application for the site.