Licensee fights back over roadworks

A furious licensee halted roadworks outside his pub when he drove his car into an eight-foot wide hole.

Mike Zacharias, licensee at the Nelson Inn in Stanion, Northamptonshire, became frustrated when workers from housing developer Charles Church started digging outside his pub.

Mr Zacharias claimed he had not been warned that the sewage work would block access to his car park.

But the workers parked JCBs in front of the car park and when the work started Mr Zacharias immediately saw a drop in trade, with suppliers unable to deliver beer to the door.

The licensee decided to take the law into his own hands after failing to get a response from Charles Church. After inviting the press to his pub he drove his people carrier into the hole and immediately stopped the work.

Mr Zacharias said: "This has devastated my business. The pub is pretty deserted and no one comes in here for a meal. Why would they? It is a building site and the noise is colossal.

"If they had come to me informing me of what was going to happen and at least told me that the car park was going to be the central part of the works, maybe we could have worked out something."

After the stunt Charles Church representatives agreed to give Mr Zacharias eight foot at the front of the car park to allow customers in or out. But customers are still deterred from entering, and the licensee is still considering legal action against the developer.

Charles Church said: "The pub raised concerns regarding the temporary road closure as it prevented access to its patron's car park. Charles Church appreciates the disruption this can cause and has therefore made every effort to ensure that work will be carried out for the shortest period possible. We have also offered assistance in helping with deliveries and other requests to minimise any inconvenience caused."

Northampton County Council gave permission for the road to be closed but was not responsible for the work.

• A pub in Somerset is seeking compensation from the Highways Authority after a road closure damaged trade.

Gary and Barbara Howe, licensees at the Portman Arms in East Chinnock, claim they lost thousands in income when Somerset County Council failed to provide signs showing the pub was open while it carried out work outside.

Mr Howe said: "We are convinced that had adequate signs been put into place advising the public the pub was still open, people would have made the effort to support us."