PUNCH Taverns have taken a big hit from angry townspeople in Crickhowell over their fierce opposition to convert the Corn Exchange pub into a convenience store.

The national company is known to have been taken aback by tidal wave of objections to the proposal.

That storm was underlined when more than 400 people packed into Crickhowell's Clarence Hall last Wednesday to voice their condemnation of the plan to put a supermarket in the town's virtually chain-free independent High Street.

A spokesman for Punch said the howl of protests would be noted by the company.

Central Operations Manager Dave Pawson said, in a statement issued after the meeting, "Our planning consultant attended the public meeting regarding our planning application for the Corn Exchange and listened to the views of local residents and election candidates.

"We would again re-iterate that we have submitted the application and we are sure that the planners will take all relevant views into account and act accordingly."

And he stressed, "We will also give consideration to the views expressed at the meeting and take further guidance both internally and from the planners."

Nearly a quarter of the town's population turned up at Wednesday night's gathering to vent their fury about the erosion of their "indie" shopping centre.

Residents and shopkeepers voted unanimously in favour of demanding landlords Punch withdraw the planning application lodged with Brecon Beacons planners.

They want to be given time to find alternative uses for the Grade 2 listed pub, preferably as a centre for alternative community uses.

Crickhowell has only one national chain – Boots the chemists – operating in the town. All other businesses are family-run and independent.

News of the application first broke on March 26. Just 24 hours later 200 people joined an impromptu rally outside the pub the register their disapproval. And within 48 hours nearly 2,000 people had signed a petition in opposition to the move.

An action committee is now being established with fighting fund set up to fight the new store. Hundreds of pounds were collected at the end of the meeting.

Angry residents urged Punch to rethink their ambition. Contributors from the floor claimed the town had been "stitched up" by the company.

They wanted an opportunity to bring forward alternative ideas – which included small retail units for artists and craftspeople, independent traders, office spaces and affordable housing.

David Prichard, of Marrons Planning, acting for Punch, insisted the chain was not planning to sell the pub.

But there were in negotiations with "a number" of supermarket chains about putting a convenience store there.

He suggested that anyone interested in leasing or even buying the pub should approach Punch direct.

Emma Corfield-Walters, of the Totally Locally Crickhowell Group, maintained a convenience store would have a devastating effect on the town and its independent traders – possibly hitting as many as eight different shops.

"There is nothing convenient about opening one convenience store which then destroys the livelihoods of so many others," she complained.

Crickhowell Civic Society, which organised the meeting with Totally Locally Crickhowell, said the plans would adversely effect the local tourist trade and spin-off jobs.

Crickhowell was unique - and it had to be protected.

The final decision on the application will be taken by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority – who were not represented at the meeting. Punch Taverns also did not attend.

At an emergency meeting of Crickhowell Town Council on Tuesday night members voted against the plan, listing three major objections.