Punters can look forward to a new and improved 'fan zone' at one popular pub that's been given the green light to expand its outside bar and seating area. The Trent Navigation in Meadow Lane has been granted permission for improvements to make its fan zone inviting whatever the weather.
A new sheltered area is to be created, with the existing outside bar being moved to make room for a new set of toilets. A servery would be added to the beer garden next to the kitchen, with the space being converted to a seating area.
For Euro 2020 last summer, the pub hired a huge screen which was in position in the car park. England fans cheered on the Three Lions in the fan zone. The pub, which is a popular spot where Nottingham Forest and Notts County fans gather before and after respective home matches, put on a beer festival to coincide with the screenings.
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Steve Westby, chairman of the Nottingham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said the expansion made sense. He said: "Covid restrictions do seem to have shown that people enjoy drinking outside when the weather is reasonable. Having more shelters does seem to make sense as it takes away some of the gamble you have to make on if it will rain."
He added: "From memory the events they would hold were incredibly popular and sold out. It's absolutely a good thing if it makes it more attractive to people. Anything to get customers will help pubs that are still recovering from the loss of earnings during Covid lockdowns."
Conservationists from Nottingham Civic Society said that they had reservations about the height and appearance of the fan zone structure to be positioned next to the 18th century Trent Navigation building. A statement in planning documents said: "The tall, metal-clad structure is incongruous in the setting of the historic building, its industrial scale and hanger-like appearance jostling with the dignified Georgian architecture of the pub which still has its original windows above ground floor and some contemporary outbuildings of the former brewery."
A Nottingham City Council report confirmed planning permission had been granted. A statement in the report said: "The comments of Nottingham Civic Society are noted, however it is not considered that the presence and heritage value of the main public house would be significantly affected."
The application was granted planning permission on March 8. A spokesman for the Trent Navigation said they did not want to comment specifically on the plans but added they were awaiting licensing approval.
