Opposition is brewing over plans for a new food and drink outlet in the centre of Wallingford.

Real ale company Brakspear wants to convert the town's former post office, in Market Place, into a bar and brasserie.

Plans recently submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council envisage 80 places for diners, a bar serving hot drinks and real ale, and a patio along the north side of the building.

Business leaders have welcomed the project as a boost to the town's vitality, but town councillors have objected because of concerns about parking.

Nigel Moor, a planning consultant, said the premises might attract up to 150 customers at any one time, yet no extra parking had been proposed.

The deputy mayor, Betty Atkins, warned that customers could end up parking illegally in Market Place.

The new venture is intended to replace Brakspear's King's Head pub, in St Martin's Street, which has been earmarked for closure as part of supermarket chain Waitrose's plans to re-develop a number of town centre premises as a 42,000-sq ft superstore.

Brakspear property director Tony Verey said the bar and brasserie proposal offered a real opportunity to give Wallingford a much-needed focal point.

He added: "We're sorry and disappointed the town council has decided to object.

"About 3,000 people saw the plans at a public exhibition in February and the overwhelming majority were supportive, including many town councillors."

The chairman of Wallingford Business 2000, Pat Hayward, said the new venue could be "a real asset" to the town.