Pub fights ban on punters using beer garden

The Major's Arms beer garden has views across the Frome valley

A pub is fighting a ban on customers using its beer garden, which offers stunning views over the Herefordshire countryside.

An enforcement notice was served last year on the Major's Arms near Bishop's Frome, south of Bromyard, preventing an "unauthorised change of use" of the decking area at the back of the pub to commercial use.

The pub's co-owner John Cattermole is seeking a certificate of lawfulness confirming the use of the space supports the pub's operation, and he said the ban on using the beer garden "has been complied with in the meantime".

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council said the authority would not comment on a live planning application.

Details submitted said while the decking and balcony had been installed in 2019, the use of the land as an outside space for the pub went back decades.

Pub patron Laurence Goodchap wrote that he and his wife had been regulars for more than 20 years.

'Our house, your pub'

He said they recalled that before the decking was installed, the area had customer seating and also children's play equipment, contributing to its "family-friendly character".

Neil Houghton, a patron for 30 years, said the balconied area had "continued the existing use of the land as a beer garden integral to the operation of the public house".

"The Major's Arms is so well-supported," Mr Cattermole said. "We tell people, 'it's our house, it's your pub'. They even choose the beers.

"During the summer it has been so crowded - too much so for some people, particularly older ones who like a seat."

Mr Cattermole said the loss of outdoor space had restricted seating and meant the pub had to cut down on local fundraising events such as ferret racing.

Comments on the application can be made until 1 October.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.