A Labour-run council has lost its battle to shut down a 200-year-old riverside pub’s outdoor seating area.
Greenwich Council had claimed the Trafalgar Tavern’s tables on the Thames Path were ‘visual clutter’ after it had received complaints.
The Grade II-listed pub was facing the prospect of losing one of the capital’s most popular beer gardens, with landlord Frank Dowling warning staff would lose their jobs if it was axed.
But the Planning Inspectorate has quashed the council’s enforcement notice, with the pub’s manager, Vasil Vasilev, hailing it as ‘fantastic news’.
Asked if they would be raising a glass in celebration, Mr Vasilev added: ‘No – we have got work to do.’
Mr Dowling said they were ‘thrilled’ and ‘we can now invest in outside and make it better’.
The Trafalgar Tavern 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.
The al fresco tables are located on the Thames Path, a narrow walkway running along the banks of the capital’s river.
Greenwich council had told of receiving complaints about access – and officials suggested the seating restricts movement for pedestrians, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs.
Greenwich Council had claimed The Trafalgar Tavern’s tables on the Thames Path were ‘visual clutter’ after it had received complaints and had moved to have them removed
But the Planning Inspectorate has quashed the council’s enforcement notice, with the pub’s manager, Vasil Vasilev (pictured), hailing it as ‘fantastic news’
The authority added that it was ‘important that everyone can use [the path] easily’ and stressed the need for ‘balance’.
Council officers have granted the pub permission to use an area of the Thames Path known as ‘The Knuckle’ for external drinking and dining.
‘Subject to the corrections, the appeal is allowed,’ documents state. ‘The enforcement notice is quashed and planning permission is granted.
‘Even in the absence of cyclists, this narrow section of the Thames Path can be difficult for pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs or with buggies, children, or dogs, to pass when busy.
‘The Low Benches provide opportunities for patrons to stretch their legs out, towards the middle of The Knuckle. This presents a trip hazard for passing pedestrians and cyclists.
‘It is the high number of staff movements on The Knuckle which present the greatest risk to the safety and access of pedestrians and cyclists, where hot food, drinks, crockery, cutlery and/or glasses are being regularly carried.
‘The nature of the external drinking and dining area is typical for this area, which is closely associated with the historic public house and tourism.’
The document adds that the pub’s permission to use the Thames Path is subject to the submittal of a management plan to the council by the pub within three months, detailing how the space will be used whilst keeping pedestrians safe.
Mr Vasilev, who has worked at the pub since 2017, said the decision was of ‘paramount’ importance to the pub.
He said: ‘It’s fantastic news. We will be able to keep our staff, which is very important to us.
‘It keeps everyone outside and nothing will really change, which is great. It’s half the pub in the summer – everyone wants to sit outside when the weather’s good.
‘With tables, we can control the crowds much better than drinkers. It would have been completely different without the tables.’
Greenwich council had told of receiving complaints about access – and officials suggested the seating restricts movement for pedestrians, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs.
The al fresco tables are located on the Thames Path, a narrow walkway running along the banks of the capital’s river
The authority added that it was ‘important that everyone can use [the path] easily’ and stressed the need for ‘balance’.
Greenwich Council said: ‘We have always said we wanted to find a sensible solution, without compromising on accessibility or setting a precedent for a private business to stake a claim to a public part of land in a world heritage site.
‘We’re really proud of Greenwich Town Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by millions of people every year.
‘We’ve been clear throughout this process that we have a duty to make sure the Thames Path is accessible for everyone.
‘It’s a narrow stretch that is constantly in use, and it needs to be easy for people with disabilities, the elderly, or people with pushchairs to use.
‘The planning inspector has concluded that the pub could, in principle, use a small portion of the path – subject to them successfully submitting strict and detailed plans to us for approval.
‘This is a positive outcome as it means there will be restrictions in place to safeguard the path from unnecessary clutter, making sure it is safe to use.’
