THE Wheel Inn in Findern could be turned into a funeral parlour if a planning application is approved.
Regulars of The Wheel Inn in Findern say it would be a massive loss to the village if it closes.
Residents and councillor Martyn Ford, who represents Findern on South Derbyshire District Council, said residents will do all they can to keep the pub open.
An application for a lawful development certificate in order to change its use has been submitted to the district council by agent DPDS Ltd, though the applicant has not been named.
The pub is owned by Punch Taverns who put it up for sale last July.
Councillor Ford said: "Like most people in the village I am devastated.
"The pub is doing better now than it has been doing for years. It was going to the buffers in 2003 and for several years suffered because of lack of investment.
"It's desperately sad that potentially it could be shutting down.
"Until recently we thought it would be kept as a pub, then came the hammer blow that someone wanted to change it into a funeral parlour.
"We all know what happen to villages when pubs go - it becomes a dormitory village."
Councillor Ford said there was a large amount of momentum going in the village to save the pub and people were going to do all that they could to save it.
He added: "We are asking as many people as possible to show their strength of opposition.
" To turn it into a funeral parlour beggars belief."
Angela Duffin, who lives in the village and attends a quiz at the pub every Sunday night, said: "To a lot of people it's not important but to those that live here it is important.
"I don't think the village needs a funeral directors."
