Longtime Diss pub owners believes Wetherspoons ‘would not affect’ town

The longstanding owners of a Diss pub do not believe the potential arrival of J D Wetherspoon in the town would affect other public houses.

The national chain have applied for planning permission for a bar and restaurant in King’s Head Yard, off Mere Street and overlooking the Mere.

But Jan and Peter Mills, who have owned the White Horse in Market Place for the past 26 years and are departing later this month, says the pub giant attracts “a different sort of customer”.

“I don’t think it will affect Diss’ pubs to be honest,” said Mr Mills.

“It might affect some of the eating places though.”

Mrs Mills added: “This is a wet pub, it is traditional.

“I don’t think it would affect here too much.

“There are good and bad points about it.”

Planning permission for a smaller premises, sought by landowner Joe Darrell, was secured in 2013.