A supermarket which was controversially opened on the grounds of a former village pub a year ago is set to close down and be re-branded.

The Morrisons M Local store was officially opened on the site of The Downley Donkey pub, in Downley, last November but less than a year later the supermarket is set to be replaced.

Nationally, more than 100 of the “mini-supermarket” outlets have been sold with new owners set to rename the shops as ‘My Local’ stores.

Campaigners were outraged when plans were revealed to change the pub into a retail unit, with no planning permission needed for the change.

Bucks Free Press:

Campaigners stood outside The Downley Donkey before it we re-developed.

However, just one year after the move was sealed Morrisons is set to leave the village, although there are no plans to close the larger Morrisons store in High Wycombe.

Downley Parish Council chairman Barry Gay says he hopes the new owners – who have announced they plan to keep the same staff at all stores – will be keen to work with the community.

He said: “There were a lot of people who were not very keen on a supermarket replacing The Downley Donkey, but Morrisons seems to be very poplar and quite well used.

“The team who work there are brilliant and have been keen to do things alongside the community which we obviously hope will be continued.”

Since the pub was transformed, volunteers have said they want to revamp a section of land next to the store in a bid to open a community garden.

However, agreements have not been reached between Morrisons or DPC over what can be changed on the land.

Cllr Gay says he is hopeful talks can continue with the new owners.