Bemused councillors have refused an award-winning Gosport hotel permission to install a unit to cool its beer – despite it already being in place.
Landlord Simon Bull has run the pub element of The Queen’s Hotel, The Four-Ale Taproom, since December 2022 after the entire building was sold in August 2022.
Members of the Gosport Borough Council regulatory board panel were left bemused as officers said they had tried to help Mr Bull address the issue of noise from the cooling unit in the courtyard for the last year.
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The committee heard the 654mm high, 855mm wide and 328mm deep beer cooling unit is essential to the running of the pub and to keep the beer in a food safe condition.
The landlord of the Queen’s Road pub was not present at the meeting because of staffing issues so Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Peter Chegwyn (Forton) spoke on his behalf.
He said he didn’t agree with Mr Bull’s interaction with the council over the cooling system but he did not want to see the pub closed. He said: “It is a much-loved corner hostelry. One complaint is not enough for refusal.”
But it seemed the panel thought otherwise and voted five in favour of refusing the retrospective application and one against.
Two public objections for the scheme were received, both from households near to the pub.
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The officers said they want the unit covered so that it reduces noise, but there seemed to be continued misunderstanding between the council and Mr Bull.
Councillors said he could not be seen to flout regulations.
Development officer Simon Barret said the refusal does not mean the pub will be closed immediately as there are options to be explored.
Mr Bull could appeal the decision but the council could contact him to try and help. If an appeal is not submitted, then enforcement action could be taken, he said.
Councillor Kevin Casey (Con, Alverstoke) said he didn’t want to see the pub closed, adding: “If he’s just sitting on his hands then he must be more proactive.”
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