A popular pub set to be bulldozed to make way for housing will remain open for the next 18 months as developers struggle in the economic downturn.

Hounslow Council granted Marstons plc planning permission on June 11 to demolish the County Arms, in Hall Road, Isleworth, and replace it with four three-bedroom houses and five four-bedroom houses, parking and landscaping.

But chef Caroline Parker said the watering hole was still open for business.

She said: “I don’t think anything is going to happen for the next 18 months or so, that’s what we’ve been told. Hopefully nothing will be done because it will be a real shame if it does go.

“We are actually busier than we were this time last year.”

Agents White Young Green Planning said last year that business had been flagging at the pub, and Marstons wanted to protect the value of the site.

The County Arms featured in the high-profile murder trial of Levi Bellfield.

Footage from its CCTV cameras was shown to the Old Bailey showing victim Kate Sheedy getting off a bus and walking up the road.