PLANS have been lodged to turn two 19th century pubs in Poole’s Old Town into homes.

Developers want to convert The Royal Oak and Gas Tavern, in Skinner Street and the Pure Drop Inn, in East Street, into a block of eight flats and two semi-detached houses.

Owner W&S Recycling blames the economic climate, changes to licensing laws and competition with The Cockleshell pub, in Lagland Street, for the move.

The Royal Oak closed two years ago and the Pure Drop Inn is said to be ‘finding it extremely difficult to stay economically viable’, the proposals say. The period buildings would be transformed into one- and two-bedroom flats.