Latest news with #TrafalgarTavern
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Petty council killjoys just want to make our lives miserable
There is no more chilling a phrase in hospitality than 'enforcement notice'. The very nature of it – formal and aggressive – bearing the assumption of wrongdoing, of guilt and of culpability in ghastly misdeed. Thus, such an envelope was waiting on the bar for Vasil Vasilev, manager of the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, when he arrived for work one morning recently at the 188-year-old pub. And what dastardly infringement was the establishment in breach of? He was pretty sure there were no roaches in the kitchen and no rodents nibbling at the carpets. The place was noisy, but no more than usual. The Trafalgar, which opened in the year of Queen Victoria's succession, is on the banks of the River Thames. And by the iron balustrade, overlooking the sandy banks of the river, on the cobbled streets beside the pub, are pub benches and umbrellas. And it's this seating that has stirred Greenwich council into crafting its officious missive. The planning inspectorate has ordered the pub to stop using the land for drinking and dining and demanded that all seats, tables and umbrellas be removed. This, in spite of the cobbled area of the Thames Path known as the 'ramp and knuckle' being leased to the pub's landlord Frank Dowling by the Greenwich Foundation, for which he pays an annual rent and having, he claims, signed a formal agreed with Greenwich Council in 2005 to use the space under what is known as a 'Section 16 arrangement'. 'It's just ridiculous,' said Mr Vasilev. 'We are not blocking pedestrian access – there's plenty of room.' He adds that there are three to four metres of space and as folk drink, there's a familiar sight of joggers passing and mothers pushing prams. On a warm day, customers spill out onto the ramp and knuckle, and admittedly, on a very busy day, it can be a bit of a squeeze for passers-by to navigate the merry throng. But the world kept turning. Until a council killjoy received an email or letter, which is the sort of thing that gets them up in the morning: a complaint. It only takes one complaint for a council bod to get fire in the belly, a rush of adrenaline through the veins. So, doubtless by lunchtime, they'd hit upon that slam-dunk reasoning that the seating was restricting access for emergency vehicles. Add to that the glorious words of 'people in wheelchairs and the elderly' and they had their unarguable case. As the council puts it: 'There are planning policies in place that we need to follow.' The message being: pubgoers might be having fun, but lives are in danger. So while thousands of people have used and continue to use the ramp and knuckle and with very few, if any, lives lost thus far, a handful of grumbles see the heavy wheels of the council turning: ahead is pleasure, and it must be crushed. And such is the state of our planning system; such is the demonic power-hungry appetite of a fevered council official, that the miserable few get to lord it over the benign majority. As Somerset Council recently wrecked the Milverton Street Fair, citing safety, so their Greenwich comrades seek to destroy some Victory IPA-fuelled fun in a little old patch of southeast London. Using some unorthodox tactics and against the odds, Horatio Nelson won his great battle of 1805, albeit losing his life in the process. Let's hope with rather less bloodshed this battle of Trafalgar also sees the right side triumph. And as to tactics for Commanders Dowling and Vasilev, they might heed what Nelson once advised one Captain Thomas Cochran: 'Never mind manoeuvres, always go at them.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Petty council killjoys just want to make our lives miserable
There is no more chilling a phrase in hospitality than 'enforcement notice'. The very nature of it – formal and aggressive – bearing the assumption of wrongdoing, of guilt and of culpability in ghastly misdeed. Thus, such an envelope was waiting on the bar for Vasil Vasilev, manager of the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, when he arrived for work one morning recently at the 188-year-old pub. And what dastardly infringement was the establishment in breach of? He was pretty sure there were no roaches in the kitchen and no rodents nibbling at the carpets. The place was noisy, but no more than usual. The Trafalgar, which opened in the year of Queen Victoria's succession, is on the banks of the River Thames. And by the iron balustrade, overlooking the sandy banks of the river, on the cobbled streets beside the pub, are pub benches and umbrellas. And it's this seating that has stirred Greenwich council into crafting its officious missive. The planning inspectorate has ordered the pub to stop using the land for drinking and dining and demanded that all seats, tables and umbrellas be removed. This, in spite of the cobbled area of the Thames Path known as the 'ramp and knuckle' being leased to the pub's landlord Frank Dowling by the Greenwich Foundation, for which he pays an annual rent and having, he claims, signed a formal agreed with Greenwich Council in 2005 to use the space under what is known as a 'Section 16 arrangement'. 'It's just ridiculous,' said Mr Vasilev. 'We are not blocking pedestrian access – there's plenty of room.' He adds that there are three to four metres of space and as folk drink, there's a familiar sight of joggers passing and mothers pushing prams. On a warm day, customers spill out onto the ramp and knuckle, and admittedly, on a very busy day, it can be a bit of a squeeze for passers-by to navigate the merry throng. But the world kept turning. Until a council killjoy received an email or letter, which is the sort of thing that gets them up in the morning: a complaint. It only takes one complaint for a council bod to get fire in the belly, a rush of adrenaline through the veins. So, doubtless by lunchtime, they'd hit upon that slam-dunk reasoning that the seating was restricting access for emergency vehicles. Add to that the glorious words of 'people in wheelchairs and the elderly' and they had their unarguable case. As the council puts it: 'There are planning policies in place that we need to follow.' The message being: pubgoers might be having fun, but lives are in danger. So while thousands of people have used and continue to use the ramp and knuckle and with very few, if any, lives lost thus far, a handful of grumbles see the heavy wheels of the council turning: ahead is pleasure, and it must be crushed. And such is the state of our planning system; such is the demonic power-hungry appetite of a fevered council official, that the miserable few get to lord it over the benign majority. As Somerset Council recently wrecked the Milverton Street Fair, citing safety, so their Greenwich comrades seek to destroy some Victory IPA-fuelled fun in a little old patch of southeast London. Using some unorthodox tactics and against the odds, Horatio Nelson won his great battle of 1805, albeit losing his life in the process. Let's hope with rather less bloodshed this battle of Trafalgar also sees the right side triumph. And as to tactics for Commanders Dowling and Vasilev, they might heed what Nelson once advised one Captain Thomas Cochran: 'Never mind manoeuvres, always go at them.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
03-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour council threatens historic London pub's beer garden
A Labour-run council has ordered an historic pub to scrap part of its riverside beer garden. The outdoor area at the Trafalgar Tavern, by the Thames in Greenwich, south-east London, has regularly been named one of the best in Britain. But the 19th century pub has now been served with an enforcement notice to remove about half its outdoor seating after the Royal Borough of Greenwich, which caused anger by restricting ice-cream sales earlier this year, said there had been complaints about access for pedestrians, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. Landlord Frank Dowling, who is appealing against the notice, said he could be forced to lay off staff if the council gets its way. The 56-year-old added: 'If you don't have tables and chairs there, you're going to have tons of people standing around drinking. Vertical drinking is not something that works for us. That causes a different problem. It means we'll get more drinkers and fewer families. 'Without the tables, we won't need as many staff for table service. We also won't serve as much food, which means we won't need as many people in the kitchen.' The Grade II-listed pub, which opened in 1837 and was once a favourite spot of Charles Dickens, serves customers on traditional wooden benches along the Thames Path, a narrow walkway on the bank of the river. The pub uses a cobbled section of the path known as the ramp and the knuckle after receiving permission to put out tables and chairs in the daytime from the council in 2005. But in March the authority issued an enforcement notice that ordered the pub to to stop using the land for drinking and dining and to remove all seating, umbrellas and tables. In the notice, the council said there had been 'a material change of use' of the area without planning permission. A council spokesman confirmed that there had been 'some complaints' about the seating and stressed the importance of accessibility for 'people in wheelchairs, the elderly or people with pushchairs'. Mr Dowling, who has been the landlord since 2001, insisted the pub had not changed the way it used the area. He has appealed to the council's planning inspectorate and continued to use the contested land while the order is on hold during the appeal process. A council spokesman said: 'Whilst it's not always appropriate to comment on individual cases, we know that the Trafalgar Tavern is a much-loved, historic venue – but we have had some complaints about the extended outdoor seating onto the Thames Path, and so there needs to be a balance. 'The Thames Path is very narrow, and it's important that everyone can use it easily, including people in wheelchairs, the elderly or people with pushchairs. There are planning policies in place that we need to follow, but we're confident we'll find a sensible solution that doesn't stop people enjoying the pub's view or using the Thames Path.' It is not the first time the Trafalgar Tavern has had a run-in with the authority. In 2021, it was denied a licence extension to sell alcohol on an additional two floors following complaints from neighbours that it risked becoming like a nightclub.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The Battle of Trafalgar (Tavern)! London pub boasting one of Britain's best beer gardens is under threat from killjoy council
One of Britain's most popular beer gardens is under threat after a council moved to remove its outdoor tables following a series of complaints. The Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, south-east London, is often hailed among the nation's most picturesque spots for a pint - showcasing views over the Thames and towards Canary Wharf and the Shard. But the historic Grade II-listed venue's outdoor seating could soon be axed after a local authority issued an enforcement notice. The Trafalgar Tavern's al fresco tables are located on the Thames Path, a narrow walkway running along the banks of the capital's river. Greenwich council has told of receiving complaints about access - and officials suggest the seating restricts movement for pedestrians, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. The authority added that it was 'important that everyone can use [the path] easily' - and that a 'balance' was needed. But among those now hitting back is the pub's landlord Frank Dowling, who has been in charge since 2001, as well as its manager Vasil Vasilev. Mr Dowling said removing the tables would only create a 'different problem' and could also mean he has to lose some staff. He said: 'If you don't have tables and chairs there, you're going to have tons of people standing around drinking. 'Vertical drinking is not something that works for us. That causes a different problem. 'If we lose the structure, we lose control of the environment. People will just gather there anyway, but without the order that tables and service provide. 'We have unbelievable staff, and we're very proud of them. They're hardworking people - young people, old people. They're very good people.' Manager Mr Vasilev, 41, who has worked at the pub since 2017, said the council had told them the outdoor seating also restricts emergency vehicles from accessing a ramp - which he claims is already inaccessible due to a parking metre blocking it. Mr Vasilev added: 'It would absolutely damage tourism in the area, without any valid reasons whatsoever. 'It's just ridiculous. We are not blocking pedestrian access - there's plenty of room. 'There are three or four metres of access. We are a family-friendly pub - we have large groups of runners, mothers with prams. 'There is plenty of space outside. The reasons [for the enforcement notice] don't make much sense. The Trafalgar Tavern has been widely praised for its London riverside setting 'People like coming here because of what we offer, but we wouldn't be able to offer it anymore [if the enforcement notice went ahead].' Posting about the proposed ban on Facebook, the Trafalgar Tavern claimed Greenwich council was 'demanding' the outdoor seating be removed. The pub suggested the move risked 'threatening a space that's brought joy to locals, tourists and the wider community'. Mr Dowling said the area remained open to the public and was cleaned and jet-washed by staff several times a week. The pub sits on a section of the Thames Path which Mr Dowling says he leased from the Greenwich Foundation, a naval charity that supports the upkeep of historic buildings in the area. The landlord claims that the rent is paid annually to the foundation and that the pub has legal tenure over the space used for outdoor seating. In addition to the lease, Mr Dowling said the pub entered into a formal agreement with Greenwich council in 2005 under a Section 16 arrangement. As part of that deal, the pub allegedly paid for improvement works to the area outside its front door, including resurfacing, landscaping and changes to a public highway. Mr Dowling said the works were paid for entirely by the pub and carried out with council involvement and approval. One local resident told MailOnline: 'It's a great space but I can understand that additional benches have made it horrendously crowded - especially on a sunny day. 'It's a narrow path along there anyway.' The Trafalgar Tavern's owners previously had a bid for a new nearby pub called the Ship Tavern, beside the river and the historic Cutty Sark vessel, rejected last year. A Greenwich council spokesperson said: 'We're really proud of Greenwich Town Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by millions of people every year. 'Tourists love the vibrant businesses and beautiful scenery, and we do too. 'That's why we're committed to making sure the area is as accessible as possible, for everyone to enjoy. 'Whilst it's not always appropriate to comment on individual cases, we know that The Trafalgar Tavern is a much-loved, historic venue. 'But we have had some complaints about the extended outdoor seating onto the Thames Path and so there needs to be a balance. 'The Thames Path is very narrow, and it's important that everyone can use it easily - including people in wheelchairs, the elderly or people with pushchairs. 'There are planning policies in place that we need to follow, but we're confident we'll find a sensible solution that doesn't stop people enjoying the pub's view, or using the Thames Path.' Representations opposing the notice can be submitted to the council's planning inspectorate until June 12, quoting appeal reference APP/E5330/C/25/3364847.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Popular Greenwich pub fights order to remove riverside seating
The Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich is appealing an enforcement notice by Greenwich Council ordering the removal of its outdoor seating area which extends onto the Thames Path. The council argues that the pub's use of the riverside walkway for tables and chairs restricts access for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. It also claims the furniture adds visual clutter to the historic area, which sits within the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. The council said: 'We confident we'll find a sensible solution that doesn't stop people enjoying the pub's view, or using the Thames Path." The Trafalgar Tavern was built in 1837 and is a Grade II listed pub located directly on the River Thames. The venue's outdoor seating has long been a draw for locals and visitors, offering picturesque views across the water. It was recently named number 14 in Enjoy Travel's list of the 30 Best Beer Gardens in Great Britain with the extended seating along the Thames being a key highlight. The Trafalgar Tavern wrote on Facebook: 'Thank you to everyone who's voted for us as Best Beer Garden, Best Pub with Views and Best Pub to Sit Outside In – and to Enjoy Travel for naming us no.14 in their 30 Best Beer Gardens in Great Britain! 'It's an honour to be recognised for our riverside space – a spot enjoyed by generations and one of London's most iconic places for an al fresco pint by the Thames. 'Sadly, while visitors celebrate what makes the Trafalgar special, Greenwich Council has served an Enforcement Notice demanding we remove our outdoor seating, threatening a space that's brought joy to locals, tourists and the wider community for decades.' This section of seating is what is subject to the enforcement and is situated on a narrow part of the Thames Path which is a public right of way. The council says it has received complaints, and that the area must remain accessible to all users, including wheelchair users and people with pushchairs. Representations opposing the notice can be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate until June 12, 2025. Anyone wishing to comment must quote appeal reference APP/E5330/C/25/3364847 or case number 3364847. A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: 'We're really proud of Greenwich Town Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by millions of people every year. 'Tourists love the vibrant businesses and beautiful scenery, and we do too – that's why we're committed to making sure the area is as accessible as possible, for everyone to enjoy. "Whilst it's not always appropriate to comment on individual cases, we know that The Trafalgar Tavern is a much-loved, historic venue - but we have had some complaints about the extended outdoor seating onto the Thames Path, and so there needs to be a balance. 'The Thames Path is very narrow, and it's important that everyone can use it easily - including people in wheelchairs, the elderly or people with pushchairs. "There are planning policies in place that we need to follow, but we're confident we'll find a sensible solution that doesn't stop people enjoying the pub's view, or using the Thames Path."
