Pub landlord told he needs planning permission for marquee that’s already been up FIVE YEARS
HE SAYS BUSINESS IS ‘UNSUSTAINABLE’ WITHOUT ITS BEER GARDEN EXTENSION
It’s a lovely area and we do not have any problems with our neighbours
Damian Mcgrath
THE owner of an award-winning pub in Beeston says the business will simply be “unsustainable” if the council rejects plans to retain an outdoor bar and marquee area.
Damian Mcgrath, landlord of the Star Inn in Middle Street, says an outdoor marquee extension was put up when he took on the pub, but only recently Broxtowe Borough Council visited to tell him planning consent was needed to retain it.
Therefore, Mr Mcgrath has been required to submit a planning application to retain the marquee extension, which was built around five years ago.
He is also hoping to get consent for a new sheltered bar serving area to help adhere to social distancing guidelines and make customers feel safer amid the pandemic.
“The marquee has been up since we took the pub on, but a couple of months ago the planning officer said that we did not have the planning permission for that,” Mr Mcgrath told the Post.
“With Covid-19 we thought we would try and prepare and use the outdoor area.
“People can get everything they want outside – they do not have to go into the pub now.
“I totally understand if people are worried about going inside, but now you can get a drink and go to the toilets without even going in to the pub as we have a temporary facility.
“But then the environment team complained.
“It’s a lovely area and we do not have any problems with our neighbours.
“People have said they feel safe and secure. If we have to close the outside bar and marquee it makes it unsustainable.”
The Star Inn, which has twice been named Camra’s Locale Pub of the Year, has around 30 staff who were all furloughed from the end of March.
The pub reopened on July 4 and Mr Mcgrath says business has so far been going smoothly.
“It has been quite steady, I did 18 hours on Saturday,” he said.
“We are just going to take it on the chin for a bit.”
The planning application submitted by Mr Mcgrath states he is also looking to gain consent for a permit for amplified music.
A Broxtowe Borough Council spokeswoman added: “We are considering a planning application to retain a marquee extension and erect a new sheltered bar servery and remove condition 3 of planning approval to permit amplified music and speech to be allowed within the marquee and marquee extension.
“The application is likely to be determined at planning committee (September at earliest).”
Earlier this month another Beeston pub, the Crown Inn, in Church Street, won its battle with the council to keep a marquee in its beer garden.