Reports that work has begun at the old Palladium site in Midsomer Norton by pub chain, J.D. Wetherspoon, have been denied by the company.

Readers had been in touch with The Journal following reports of activity on the site, with the much-anticipated project delayed due to access issues, which are still being negotiated due to a strip of land in private ownership.

Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon, told The Journal: “We have not resolved the access issues – these are still ongoing.

“We are not yet on site, and there are no opening dates. We have been upgrading the security there, so local people may have seen these people at the site.”