A historic and recently reopened Herefordshire pub has won its battle to serve drinks outdoors.
A neighbour had objected to the bid by the refurbished Crown Inn in Lea near Ross-on-Wye to license its garden bar till 10pm, due to concerns over noise.
Extensive correspondence between the neighbour and the inn’s management failed to produce a mutually acceptable arrangement.
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As a result, Herefordshire Council’s licensing subcommittee, which had granted a licence to the main premises in March, then had to rule separately on the bar proposal.
Ben Savidge, son of the inn’s owners, told councillors the bar “would ease pressure on the main bar, and allow faster service for guests”.
Since reopening in April, “The Crown has been a huge success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from locals and visitors alike”, including from near neighbours. Varying the licence would enable it to take on more staff, he said.
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“We have worked closely with neighbours to keep everyone happy,” by turning off outdoor speakers by 10pm and closing the upper garden area by 9, he added.
To now permit the outdoor bar until 10pm “would be more than fair”, Mr Savidge maintained.
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The sole complainant did not address the committee – which its chair Coun Polly Andrews found “disappointing”.
Acknowledging the inn’s efforts to engage with the community, she said the committee agreed the application to vary the licence should be granted.
The “Summer Bar” is now expected to open next month, selling stone-baked pizzas as well as beer, ciders and cocktails.