Pub chain spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We are now aware that people are recommending Hayling Island as an area and we will definitely look into it.

"We are keen for more pubs in the Portsmouth area and we will definitely go and have a look at it."

Last month we reported that HIRA and the HICB were going to approach Wetherspoons – who have made a reputation out of turning old high street premises into thriving new pubs, as well as converting existing ones – after developers submitted a third set of plans to turn the Rose in June into flats in a little over two years.

Local businessman Ian Murray reopened another run-down pub to have seen better days by acquiring the Inn On The Beach last summer, after his £300,000 bid to buy the 200-year-old Rose in June fell though in March last year.

Residents say time is running out to save the Rose in June – the main building has been constantly vandalised since the barn fire in 2008.

Community board member John Perry said: "We see Hayling as a potentially growing tourist attraction and it's a prominent site for community use. We are finding it very frustrating.

"We are desperately trying to stop it having a change of use to residential. Once it's gone, it's gone forever and we don't want that."

An agent for the pub owners said "It's still in limbo," but refused to comment further.