A Beeston pub is facing the expense of having to apply for annual planning permission to keep a marquee that's helping trade at a precarious time for the industry. The structure was first erected at the Crown Inn during the pandemic as a way of keeping drinkers safe from the risk of Covid.
It has remained a popular feature since with customers enjoying an al fresco drink in the shade during the heatwave rather than inside the pub which has a labyrinth of small cosy bars. It also serves as a useful shelter during wet weather.
Pub director James Brown said it was a useful addition but "a shame" that they had to seek permission on a yearly basis for the marquee, which he rents monthly at a high cost. Mr Brown said: "It has most definitely helped our trade. Post-Covid customers are still wary about confined spaces with lots of people in. The marquee helped to spread everyone out and make them feel comfortable.
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"It is a shame we have to apply for planning permission each year, costing us planning and council fees each time. The monthly rent costs of the marquee are high.
"I do not feel it will be sustainable next year if the Government make us pay full business rates from next April. Pubs are still unfairly treated around rates. We pay three times more than other pubs in our area. We are no bigger than some other pubs and we do not take as much money as some other pubs, but we still face paying the most. The whole system is not fit for purpose."
The added expense comes on top of rising energy prices. "We have to renew in three months. The very best quotes are £40k a year for gas and electricity. We currently pay £11k a year and have done for ten years," said Mr Brown.
"The energy crisis is going to turn into a major hospitality crisis. Many businesses are still in long-term deals and have not felt the pain yet, but when they do, it’s going to really hit businesses hard."
The plans to retain the marquee for another year in the pub car park, off Middle Street, have just gone into Broxtowe Borough Council. The existing permission will come to an end on December 31, 2022.
The 12m x 9m shelter was originally erected in August 2020, a sturdier version which replaced the original marquee brought crashing down by Storm Francis.
A further application has been made to cut down a sycamore tree which is causing a wall to collapse.
A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council said: "‘The marquee at the Crown Inn was erected in 2020 due to the constraints imposed by the Government as a response to Covid 19 regulations in order to ensure compliance with social distancing rules then in force.
"Temporary permission was granted for one year as would have been common with other marquees erected for social distancing purposes. The Crown Inn is a listed building and as such, care would need to be taken so that the marquee did not impact negatively on the setting of the listed building, another reason for only granting a temporary permission.
"The council have now received a planning application which seeks to retain the marquee. The application is still being considered by the planning team and as part of this process consideration will be made as to whether the marquee can be retained, and whether a temporary period is again thought to be appropriate, or if a longer time period would be considered instead."
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