Kent licensee 'in limbo' after patio setback

Sanjay Raval, who has owned Enterprise lease the City Wall in Rochester for 14 years, is lobbying local councillors, MPs and residents for support after Medway Council sent him a letter in November giving him a month’s notice to stop using the patio, which is owned by the local authority.

The bar was also given an environmental health order just before Christmas, due to the noise from people talking on the patio.

Noise complaints​

The council said it had received noise complaints from councillors and residents, but Raval said after challenging the claims it emerged there had been one complaint from a new resident in the area. Raval appealed the decision but said he has not had a response from the authority.

Despite the fact the patio is owned by the council, not the bar, Raval said there has been a written agreement in place for the past 12 years allowing him to use the outside area, which generates one-third of his income.

The venue has also hosted events for the community in conjunction with the council on the patio, including festivals and the Christmas lights switch-on.

'Serious knock-on effect'​

“If I lose the patio it will have a serious knock-on effect on my business,” Raval said. “We’re a 300-capacity venue inside and outside, but get thousands coming in over festival periods.

“Without this I would have to give the pub up but I can’t sell the business without the patio — it would completely devalue the business.

“I am in limbo at the moment and seeking legal advice.”

Support​

He added that more than 400 local residents have emailed Medway councillor Kelly Tolhurst, council chief executive Neil Davies and local MP Mark Reckless, calling for the City Wall to be able to keep using the patio.

A council spokesperson said: “We are in discussions with the bar owner over use of the land.”