Campaigners have dismissed suggestions that pub owners are in 'advanced talks' with a supermarket.

The Green Dragon Pub, in Green Lanes, has been in Winchmore Hill for 300 years and closed in January.

A campaign group has gathered more than 4,000 signatures to preserve its history as one of the “gems” in the community.

However its asset of community value application to Enfield Council was rejected earlier this month.

The pub-enthusiasts rallied with a well-attended demonstration outside the council’s offices last night against the decision.

Green lanes Investment, who own the pub, which has been turned into a temporary bric-a-brac shop, revealed that Waitrose has declared an interest.

A GLI spokesman said: “Our aim is to bring a popular business into Winchmore Hill, and to offer more jobs and economic activity than the previous use ever did. The extra footfall from a little Waitrose will benefit the other shops in the area.

“Although it was a shame the previous business had closed, we took over this empty property because we believed the neighbourhood still had a future, and are very pleased to finally be in a position to confirm Waitrose’s interest.”

However, Save The Green Dragon lead campaigner Mike McLean dismissed the suggestions and accused GLI of trying to appeal to people living in Winchmore Hill by claiming Waitrose will takeover the pub.

He said: “Of course they are going to say that. They are saying what might appeal to the community in Winchmore Hill more than an Aldi.

“Once the pub has gone the community will get what it gets and there’s no turning back, we are continuing to fight to save the pub.”