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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
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic 19th century Greenwich riverside pub with one of UK's best beer gardens
A 19th century pub in Greenwich has been named as one of the UK's best beer gardens to visit. The Trafalgar Tavern was named by Big 7 Travel in its annual list of The Best Beer Gardens in the UK. The list, which featured other London locations like the People's Park Tavern in Hackney, rated this Greenwich pub for its naval-themed décor and views of the Thames, blending a 'modern beer garden' with a 'traditional pub'. The Trafalgar Tavern was named by Big 7 Travel in its annual list of The Best Beer Gardens in the UK. (Image: Emma Fradgley) This Grade II listed city pub first began in the 1830s, opening in 1837 when Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, and was named after The Battle of Trafalgar. It was built upon the site of the former Old George Tavern, dating as far back as the 11th century, and coincidentally it's also believed to be one of Greenwich's most haunted pubs, with the ghost of a Victorian gentlemen frequently sighted. With its traditional pub feel, views of the Thames and strong naval theme, it's no wonder why this pub remains one of Greenwich's most popular watering holes. This Grade II listed city pub first opened in 1837 (Image: Emma Fradgley) The pub was even featured by famed writer Charles Dickens in Our Mutual Friend, and its distinctive bow windows and balconies have been celebrated in the work of renowned artist James Tissot. The pub has also made it into CAMRA's guide on numerous years, who note it as a particularly pleasant spot to stop off for a drink in the summer months. The pub is equally as pleasant on the inside with its eclectic mix of paintings and naval artefacts, with a menu serving British classics like fish and chips and a Sunday roast. The pub is equally as pleasant on the inside with its eclectic mix of paintings and naval artefacts. (Image: Emma Fradgley) For drinking, the pub serves over 20 local and national beers on tap — including house favourites like Wantsum Trafalgar Bitter and Victory APA — along with 100 varieties of whisky and a broad gin menu. The pub hosts weekly events like live music every Wednesday through Sunday, quiz nights every 1st and 3rd Wednesday and comedy nights every Thursday. Whether you're visiting for the popular beer garden or to soak up the atmosphere of one of Greenwich's oldest pubs, The Trafalgar Tavern remains to be a favourite in Greenwich.
