PUB giant JD Wetherspoon is looking to open a branch in Abingdon’s former post office, the Oxford Mail has learned.

The bid to move into the High Street building comes eight years after the firm lost a controversial battle to move to the town’s former Congregational Church in Pulpit House.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon has been keen to open a pub in Abingdon for many years and the company is as keen as ever.

“The company has enjoyed great success with its pubs in Oxford and Bicester, so Abingdon is a natural place.”

The Mail understands the firm is in negotiations over a move into the former post office. Mr Gershon declined to comment.

Traders gave a mixed response.

Steve Hipgrave, landlord at the King’s Head and Bell in East St Helen Street, said: “Everyone would be affected by it.

“But rather than sitting back and feeling sorry for myself I would think of ways to retain customers and drive business.

“Where Wetherspoon can offer value, we can offer more in terms of tradition and personality.”

Paul Townsend, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, said: “It would be great to see the old post office turned into something as it is a big building on the High Street.

“But whether Wetherspoon would be a good thing or a bad thing I do not know.”

Johanne Green, spokesman for the Abingdon branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “It might be a good idea, if they can get more people to get out they always might visit other pubs.

“From a drinkers’ point of view it would be nice to have more choice.”

The firm would need planning and licensing permission from Vale of White Horse District Council. The post office moved to the Co-op in West St Helen Street in January 2009.

Wetherspoon opened The Penny Black in Bicester’s old post office in 1997 and in 2009 took over the former Ha! Ha! bar in the Oxford Castle complex, reopening it as The Swan and Castle.

This year the chain won permission to open in the former Palace nightclub in Market Square, Witney, despite a 228-signature petition opposed the latter.