A 300-year-old west London pub has been closed down – only to be replaced by a discount store days later.
Furious neighbours living near the Hammersmith Ram yesterday condemned the move as 'absolutely shameful', claiming the high street is already plagued by similar shops.
The pub poured its final pint on July 26, with owner Young's explaining that after 'careful review' it had decided to shut the business permanently.
It marked the second pub closure on the bustling street in just 12 months, amid huge strain on the hospitality sector exacerbated by Labour's tax rises.
The property's freehold was bought by Hammersmith Realty Ltd, controlled by Amin Properties Holdings Ltd and Arora Family Legacy Ltd, an Ealing-based real estate group.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has since launched an investigation over a potential planning breach, it said, after no change of use application was submitted before turning the pub into a shop.
Days after the Ram closed its doors, locals walked past to find the property turned into a discount store – selling suitcases, pots and pans, rice cookers, lamps and decorative pieces.
Local Tony Lewis, who used to visit the pub for his Sunday lunch, said there is already a similar shop just up the road. He told the Daily Mail: 'I'm gutted, like we need another one of those when we've got one up there. It's absolutely terrible.
Discount Store has opened on King Street in Hammersmith, west London, replacing the Hammersmith Ram pub
The Hammersmith Ram pub before it closed down last month, after 300 years
Bill Orr (left) and Tony Lewis (right), who said the new opening was 'absolutely shameful'
John and Darren, however, said they appreciate a 'bargain' and bought several items from the shop
'It was a gorgeous pub, this is just what we need, more suitcases, not! It's absolutely shameful.'
Sandra Orr, 74, and her husband Bill, said: 'We really got upset about that, because it was only a week before we were in there having roast dinners.
'It's just putting this road down every time. They're just opening up make-do shops all the time.'
Local resident Hutchinson, 81, said the new shop was 'disgusting', adding: 'I couldn't believe it - one day it's there, the next it's gone.
'It's not good for the community. I don't think it should be allowed.'
Arora Family, part-controlled by Josh Ajit Singh Arora, owns 87 shops, supermarkets and offices across west London, including a mini-market in North End Road.
Amin Properties appears to be controlled by Parth Dinubhai Amin.
Other locals in the area said they were 'disappointed' by the change, adding they were loyal customers of the pub for years.
Joanne and Anne, of nearby Shepherd's Bush, said: 'It's sad. We'd come down to Hammersmith just to come here.
'Now it's another pop-up shop. It is a shame.'
Michael Pirth, 77, said: 'The thing is, there are a lot of these kinds of stores [on King Street], why do we need another?
'It's a loss to the community.'
James, 48, said: 'I think it's ridiculous. I enjoyed the pub; I've been round here for 45 years, and it's always been a pub.
'It's very strange, I would have thought they would have done something better with it.'
The shop sells pots and pans, kitchen utensils and other homeware goods
Joanne and Anne, of nearby Shepherd's Bush, said the closure of the pub was 'sad'
Local resident Hutchinson, 81, said the new shop was 'disgusting'
Cups, mugs, jars and decorations are also on offer at the new shop in Hammersmith
Michael Pirth, 77, described the pub closure as a 'loss to the community'
Cardboard boxes are piled high in the pub's old outdoor area, where customers used to enjoy a pint
The pub had an outdoor space, which is now being used to store recycling
One 80-year-old woman, who has lived in the area for 50 years, added: 'I'm disappointed that it's used up for this kind of thing, a discount store, because there's so many of them - there's one down the street.
'I used to come [to the pub]. It was a lovely pub, it had lovely food and music and everything.
'So many pubs are closing; it's just one of those things.'
Some people, however, said they don't mind the store and appreciate being able to secure a 'bargain'.
John and Darren, who bought several items including a mug from the shop, said: 'The pub industry's gone hasn't it really. I used to live here in the 90s, there's a lot of change. It's a good little shop, so, if you want a bargain.'
Hammersmith & Fulham Council said in a statement: 'H&F Council is investigating a potential breach in Planning regulations at the former Hammersmith Ram site as a change of use application is required to create a commercial shop in place of a public house.'
A Young's spokesperson said: 'The Hammersmith Ram was a much-loved part of Young's, however, we regularly review our portfolio of pubs and on this occasion, unfortunately a decision was made to close the business.
'We continue to be ardent supporters of the pub as the heart of British communities across the country, as we have for 195 years.
'We would like to thank the local community for their support over the years.'
Discount Store declined to comment.