Latest news with #TrafalgarTavern
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Angela Rayner refuses to help Charles Dickens' favourite pub in fight with killjoy council over its beer garden
has refused to help a London pub frequented by Charles Dickens after the council ordered it to tear down part of a historic beer garden. The Communities Secretary was urged to use her ministerial powers to overrule the Labour authority which told the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich to remove roughly half of its outdoor seating. But rather than reversing the decision by calling it in, Ms Rayner is expected to let the planning inspector deal with the pub's appeal on her behalf. 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. The outdoor area of the pub has regularly been named one of the best in Britain after it opened in 1837 and was once a favourite spot of English novelist Charles Dickens. In March, however, the council issued an enforcement notice ordering the pub to stop using the land for drinking and dining and to remove all seating, umbrellas and tables. A notice said there had been 'a material change of use' of the area without planning permission, with the pub warning the move could lead to dozens of job losses. Greenwich council said it had received complaints about access - and officials suggested the seating restricted movement for pedestrians, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. The authority added it was 'important that everyone can use [the path] easily' - and that a 'balance' was needed. Ms Rayner and her Government have now been accused, by the Conservatives, of failing to 'practice what they preach' after making 'a big song and dance about slashing red tape to protect pubs'. The Trafalgar Tavern has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, a government agency, which is expected to report back by October. Most planning appeals are decided by inspectors without the need for ministerial sign-off. However, Ms Rayner can demand a final say in certain circumstances in her capacity as Communities Secretary, including where proposals give rise to 'substantial regional or national controversy'. In these circumstances, planning inspectors review the case and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who makes the decision. Ms Rayner was asked by the Conservatives this month whether she would use her ministerial powers to call in the Trafalgar Tavern appeal. Jim McMahon, the minister for local government, responded saying it was 'likely' the decision would be issued 'on behalf of the Secretary of State', meaning Ms Rayner would not be involved. Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow communities secretary, told The Telegraph: 'Angela Rayner could save this pub from overzealous planning inspectors, but she's actively choosing not to. 'Labour has made a big song and dance about slashing red tape to protect pubs, but it's clear they don't practice what they preach. Business rates, the Employment Bill and the jobs tax are all set to push pubs across the country to extinction. 'If Labour are unwilling to back down in their war on the local, Rayner should at least step in to save this one.' Ms Rayner could still choose to overrule the council, is is understood, as she may call in the appeal at any point before the Planning Inspectorate makes its decision. In April, the Government insisted it had called 'last orders' on 'red tape choking pubs' as it vowed to back 'the British night out'. The Mayor of London said in a joint press release from Ms Rayner and cabinet members Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds they would be 'armed with new powers to review blocked licensing applications and boost the capital's night-time economy'. Ms Rayner said at the time: 'Our pubs, restaurants, and live music venues are the beating heart of our cultural life, so it is vital they are given every chance to survive and thrive. Too often, we have seen the complaints of a vocal minority of objectors promoted over the need for our country to grow – we are determined to change this.' The Trafalgar Tavern serves customers on traditional wooden benches along the Thames Path, a narrow walkway on the bank of the river. It received permission to put out tables and chairs in the daytime in 2005, using a cobbled section of the path, known as 'the ramp and the knuckle'. Manager Vasil Vasilev, 41, who has worked at the pub since 2017, said the removal of the outdoor seating would be 'absolutely ridiculous'. He 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.' But a council spokesman insisted, following the planning notice, there had been 'some complaints' about the seating and stressed the importance of accessibility for 'people in wheelchairs, the elderly, or people with pushchairs'. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: 'We're determined to help pubs thrive and grow as part of our Plan for Change, which is why we're slashing red tape and have announced a permanent cut to business rates. 'This is alongside introducing new powers to help local people take control of valued community spaces, including pubs.'
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Rayner refuses to save historic beer garden
Angela Rayner has refused to intervene in a planning row to save a historic London pub's beer garden. The Communities Secretary has been urged to use her ministerial powers to overrule a Labour council after it ordered the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich to remove roughly half its outdoor seating. But rather than calling in the decision, which would allow her to reverse it, she is expected to let a planning inspector deal with the pub's appeal on her behalf. The Tories accused Labour of failing to 'practice what they preach', having made 'a big song and dance about slashing red tape to protect pubs'. The outdoor area at the Trafalgar Tavern, by the River Thames, has regularly been named one of the best in Britain. It is now under threat after the Royal Borough of Greenwich ordered the pub to stop using part of the land for drinking and dining. The tavern has warned that the move could lead to dozens of job losses and appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, a government agency, which is expected to report back by October. Most planning appeals are decided by inspectors without the need for ministerial sign-off. However, as Communities Secretary, Ms Rayner can demand a final say in certain circumstances, including where proposals give rise to 'substantial regional or national controversy'. When this happens, planning inspectors review the case and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who makes the decision. This month, the Tories asked if Ms Rayner would use her ministerial powers to call in the Trafalgar Tavern appeal. In response, Jim McMahon, the minister for local government, said it was 'likely' that the decision would be issued 'on behalf of the Secretary of State', meaning that Ms Rayner would not be involved. Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow communities secretary, said: 'Angela Rayner could save this pub from overzealous planning inspectors, but she's actively choosing not to. 'Labour has made a big song and dance about slashing red tape to protect pubs, but it's clear they don't practice what they preach. Business rates, the Employment Bill and the jobs tax are all set to push pubs across the country to extinction. 'If Labour are unwilling to back down in their war on the local, Rayner should at least step in to save this one.' It is understood Ms Rayner could still choose to overrule the council as she is able to call in the appeal at any point before the Planning Inspectorate makes its decision. If a request was made to call it in, the department would consider it. It is unclear whether this would need to be done through any specific formal channel. In April, the Government claimed to have called 'last orders' on 'red tape choking pubs' as it vowed to back 'the British night out'. A joint press release from Ms Rayner, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, said the Mayor of London would be 'armed with new powers to review blocked licensing applications and boost the capital's night-time economy'. At the time, Ms Rayner said: 'Our pubs, restaurants, and live music venues are the beating heart of our cultural life, so it is vital they are given every chance to survive and thrive. Too often, we have seen the complaints of a vocal minority of objectors promoted over the need for our country to grow – we are determined to change this.' The Trafalgar Tavern, 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. It 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 in 2005. But in March, the council issued an enforcement notice ordering the pub to stop using the land for drinking and dining and to remove all seating, umbrellas and tables. In the notice, it 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'.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Greenwich pub fights to keep riverside seating
Bosses at a Greenwich riverside pub could have to call time on most of its outdoor seating area after the council demanded its Council says the tables that snake around the Thames Path at the Trafalgar Tavern are "visual clutter". The council, which said this "prevents people from enjoying the view of the river, and it doesn't provide access", has issued an enforcement notice to remove the Frank Dowling told BBC London: "I don't think there's a problem, because there's a 5ft walkway. So maybe there is the minor inconvenience of walking around someone." The council's notice is a move that has angered many, including the Jones family, who are regular visitors. "I think there's still space for them to bring prams and things like that through and there's still bikes and things like that that come through," one family member said."I think it would be a shame if they got rid of it because it's a lovely area." Another family member said: "It is a bit busy when there's bikes and things coming past but it's part of the experience."I think this is a lovely classic pub so I think it should stay."It's lovely being by the river, seeing all the sights, it's just an amazing place. It's got a really nice energy about it."The Tavern has appealed against the council's enforcement notice, saying it could lead to more than 70 job losses. A Royal Borough of Greenwich spokesperson said: "We have been notified that the Trafalgar Tavern has appealed [against] the enforcement notice to the Planning Inspectorate and a hearing is scheduled for later this summer."In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for the council to make any further comment at this stage."The Tavern dates back to 1837, having been a notable hub for merchants, sailors and politicians.
Telegraph
06-06-2025
- 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
06-06-2025
- 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.
