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Wiltshire pub's new chalet 'breaks Covid rules' | Wiltshire pub's new chalet 'breaks Covid rules' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
"The Chalet" at The Marlborough has been completed in the past year | "The Chalet" at The Marlborough has been completed in the past year |
A "livid" pub landlord says he has spent £50,000 on a chalet for outside dining only to be told a week before opening it contravenes Covid-19 rules. | A "livid" pub landlord says he has spent £50,000 on a chalet for outside dining only to be told a week before opening it contravenes Covid-19 rules. |
Jason Kalen, who runs The Marlborough in Wiltshire, fitted a bar, pizza oven and a TV in the wooden structure. | Jason Kalen, who runs The Marlborough in Wiltshire, fitted a bar, pizza oven and a TV in the wooden structure. |
He said he followed Wiltshire Council's advice to comply with the regulations. | He said he followed Wiltshire Council's advice to comply with the regulations. |
But it said government guidance had not changed and outdoor roofed structures had to have at least 50% of their walls open when in use, which his did not. | But it said government guidance had not changed and outdoor roofed structures had to have at least 50% of their walls open when in use, which his did not. |
Mr Kalen said: "It's disgusting. | Mr Kalen said: "It's disgusting. |
"Less than a week before we're supposed to open saying it doesn't comply. It makes no sense." | "Less than a week before we're supposed to open saying it doesn't comply. It makes no sense." |
The structure cost £50,000 to build | The structure cost £50,000 to build |
The wooden structure was mostly built during the first lockdown in 2020 and finished in the second. A planned New Year's Eve party sold out, but had to be cancelled. | The wooden structure was mostly built during the first lockdown in 2020 and finished in the second. A planned New Year's Eve party sold out, but had to be cancelled. |
"I built it to their [Wiltshire Council] specifications. I've got a breathable roof with a one inch gap around the outside, I've got double doors, I've got ventilation through the ground up. Then we get an email saying it's not permitted," he said. | "I built it to their [Wiltshire Council] specifications. I've got a breathable roof with a one inch gap around the outside, I've got double doors, I've got ventilation through the ground up. Then we get an email saying it's not permitted," he said. |
"It's the lack of timing. They should've sent this a month ago, it's just not fair." | "It's the lack of timing. They should've sent this a month ago, it's just not fair." |
Mr Kalen said having worked closely with the council to realise his project "to suddenly do this to us is outrageous. I'm livid." | |
'No surprise' | 'No surprise' |
Jess Gibbons, the council's director for communities and neighbourhood services, said: "Following confirmation by the government on Monday night that we will definitely be moving to step 2 of the roadmap on 12 April 2021, we emailed over 800 alcohol licensed premises in Wiltshire with guidance on outdoor hospitality. | Jess Gibbons, the council's director for communities and neighbourhood services, said: "Following confirmation by the government on Monday night that we will definitely be moving to step 2 of the roadmap on 12 April 2021, we emailed over 800 alcohol licensed premises in Wiltshire with guidance on outdoor hospitality. |
"This guidance is not new - it is the same as the guidance issued previously, following the last re-opening just prior to Christmas which was covered by the "all tiers" regulations. | "This guidance is not new - it is the same as the guidance issued previously, following the last re-opening just prior to Christmas which was covered by the "all tiers" regulations. |
"It is based on the legal rules for smoking shelters in the smokefree legislation from 2007 which licensees will be very familiar with. | "It is based on the legal rules for smoking shelters in the smokefree legislation from 2007 which licensees will be very familiar with. |
"This should not come as any surprise to the hospitality industry - we received numerous complaints about outdoor seating areas becoming very enclosed during the last re-opening period prior to Christmas." | "This should not come as any surprise to the hospitality industry - we received numerous complaints about outdoor seating areas becoming very enclosed during the last re-opening period prior to Christmas." |