A pub in the shadow of Kingsholm Stadium and synonymous with Gloucester Rugby fans looks to have served its last pint.

Punchline reported on July 18 on the concern for the fate of The Kingsholm Inn opposite Gloucester's second cathedral - sold as part of 10 county pubs to The Stonegate Pub Company.

That public house is now re-opened, but the news has rather overshadowed another of our reports into the fate of the Queen's Head, just a couple of hundred yards along the Kingsholm Road at number 68.

It too closed earlier this summer, with rumours suggesting it would be redeveloped into flats, but Punchline was unable to raise anyone at the time to comment.

But we can now reveal one of the options being seriously considered by the new owner - and who that owner is.

"Gloucester City Council has identified the area as in need of more child care places in Kingsholm. We are looking at converting it from something that was not very well used outside of rugby games to something that will be used by local people," said Gloucester-based businessman Charles Perkins, 48, the building's new owner.

"There will be plenty of places left for rugby fans to go for a drink."

Mr Perkins was referring to the aforementioned Kingsholm Inn but also the new bar opposite, The Heritage, soon to be opened by businessman and builder, Reg Daldry, in the former Discount Cycle Warehouse building.

Punchline understands Mr Perkins, who runs the property company William Paige Ltd, and is also a director of the Secret Garden Nursery company (among other businesses) considered converting the building to residential initially.

A planning application has been filed with Gloucester City Council for a change of use of the Queen's Head from a public house to a children's day nursery.

The applications suggests a nursery would be able to cater for up to 50 children and support an estimated 15 jobs opening from 8an to 6pm Monday to Friday.

It is not certain at this stage whether, should the application be successful, any new nursery would be run by the Secret Garden Nursery company. Mr Perkin's primary interests are understood to be property.

Read more: 130 jobs saved after £20m turnover firm rescued from administration 

Read more: First look inside new bar and venue close to Gloucester Rugby's Kingsholm ground 

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