Three pubs on a historic Thames-side stretch have won a reprieve after a local council initially demanded the removal of all outdoor seating. Hounslow Council had ordered The Bull's Head, The City Barge, and The Bell & Crown in Strand-on-the-Green to clear tables, chairs, and sun loungers from the river path by Monday as part of an investigation.
The issue reportedly arose when The Bull's Head applied to renew its license, triggering the council's review of outdoor furniture on the public walkway. It was subsequently discovered that the other two pubs also lacked the necessary permissions under the Hounslow Council's Highways Act to place furniture on the path. Under current regulations, establishments require a pavement license to put outdoor furniture on public thoroughfares.
A worker at The City Barge stated the pub was experiencing significant losses, with as many as 50 customers daily unable to enjoy drinks by the river. "Everybody wants to sit there. It's a beautiful view," the worker told the Daily Mail.
Publicans affected by the order claimed council officers informed them that a single complaint about the long-standing furniture necessitated an investigation. Local resident Alistair Hilton publicly alleged that Green Party councillor Rick Rowe was behind the complaint, sparking backlash on social media. Hilton, a photographer, expressed his anger, stating the decision would "destroy business" and that the seating had been a popular feature for years.
However, Councillor Rick Rowe issued a public statement clarifying his position. "I want to be really clear. I back our riverside pubs," Rowe wrote. "I did not ask the Council to remove outdoor seating from the Bell & Crown, the City Barge, the Bull's Head or any other pub on Strand-on-the-Green. That is not my position and never has been."
Following the local outcry and protests, the council has agreed to permit the outdoor seating to remain in place while the three pubs submit their licensing applications. Councillor Amy Croft, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Enforcement and Recycling at Hounslow Council, stated that applications would be processed swiftly. She emphasized the council's commitment to ensuring pubs can continue trading and will work constructively with the businesses. Croft also noted the legal requirement to verify that outdoor seating on public highways and towpaths has appropriate permissions and does not obstruct access for pedestrians, wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs, or emergency services.
This situation comes as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has pledged to support al fresco dining across the city, including in Soho, by utilizing new licensing powers. This initiative aims to boost London's night-time economy but has faced opposition from some residents' groups concerned about potential increases in noise and crowding.