The manager of a pub in Marlow said he was given 48 hours to remove chairs and tables that had been outside ‘for 14 years’ after they were found to be on a public highway.

Sumukh Kondaskar, 41, General Manager of The George and Dragon pub on The Causeway, said he was told by Buckinghamshire Council that all of the pub’s outdoor furniture had to be removed within two days at the end of last week.

A notice stated that the pavement outside The George and Dragon had been identified as a public highway, on which businesses are required to pay a £100 pavement licence to mount seating.

The pub, alongside other businesses on Marlow High Street, has been serving customers al-fresco “for the last 14 years” with no issues and Sumukh especially lamented the timing of the council notice, just ahead of the reliably busy Easter weekend.

He said: “We've lost a lot of business in the past few days – there were 15 or 20 people who came in and wanted to sit outside. We’re also gearing up for long Bank Holiday weekends and nice spring weather.

“January and February are usually quiet months for us, and March is when things begin to happen, so this isn't helping us at all." 

The 41-year-old said he was in the process of applying for a licence to reinstate the outdoor furniture but is finding it lengthier and more complicated than he would have hoped.

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Adding: “The High Street looks less appealing without all the tables and chairs, like it’s become tired and lost its charm. We just weren’t given enough notice – we weren’t prepared to deal with this now.”

Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Services said: “Any business serving food and drink that wishes to place furniture on the public highway for their customers must first apply for a pavement licence from Buckinghamshire Council.

“We know many businesses benefit from additional seating space outside their premises and where it is safe to do so, the council is fully supportive.

“When a licence application is made, council officers will look into the request and make a decision based on a range of factors including the width of the pavement, access requirements and public safety. If furniture is placed on the public highway without a valid licence, the council has the right to request that it be removed immediately until the required licence is granted.

“The council will investigate complaints made regarding street furniture blocking safe public access and any business repeatedly found to be in breach of the conditions of their licence risks having their licence revoked.”