Locals force Labour-run council to back down over plans to curb riverside drinking in 'common sense victory'

Punters at three beloved London pubs have emerged victorious after a battle with a Labour-controlled council threatening to restrict riverside drinking.

The Bull's Head, The City Barge and The Bell & Crown in Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick, all faced demands from Hounslow council to clear outdoor furniture from the towpath by Monday this week.

But after locals hit back with demonstrations, the council reached a decision to give grace, and allow all chairs and tables to stay while the venues submit formal licensing applications.

One woman who has lived in the area for two decades told The Telegraph the outcome was "a victory for freedom and a victory for common sense".

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By yesterday evening, riverside seating had been restored in place at The Bull's Head and The Bell & Crown, with The City Barge still to lodge its application.

The dispute first emerged when The Bull's Head sought to renew its licence, prompting the temporary removal of its outdoor furniture.

This process inadvertently drew attention to the string of pubs operating along the river, each of which also lacked the proper authorisation for outdoor furniture.

Under the Highways Act, businesses require permission to position tables and chairs on public pavements, yet managers and local residents noted the seating at the three pubs had been in place for decades without issue.

Councillor Amy Croft, cabinet member for infrastructure at Hounslow council, acknowledged the importance of riverside pubs to the community, whilst defending the council's position.

She said: "We are required by law to ensure that any outdoor seating and structures placed on the public highway or riverside towpath have the appropriate permissions in place, and do not obstruct access for pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with pushchairs or emergency services."

Pub landlords claimed council officers informed them an investigation was "obligated" after receiving a single referral.

Many in objection pointed to Green councillor Rick Rowe as the source of that complaint, though Mr Rowe has firmly denied requesting the removal of outdoor seating.

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He instead claims to have actively worked to ensure seating could remain during the licensing review process, and that enforcement decisions rested with the Labour administration.

Meanwhile, Conservative councillor Gabriella Giles, representing Chiswick Riverside ward, condemned the enforcement action as an "abuse of power" from Hounslow Labour.

Regular patron Alastair Hilton also branded the original decision to remove the furniture as plainly "wrong", arguing it threatened business during the most crucial trading period for the pubs.

He said: "In the summer you've got to make every tenner you can, you've got to. Every seat that vanishes, it's another £50, £100.

"It's very, very hard to run a business as it is, very hard to run a pub. You can't have a council coming along and going, well I don't like this."

A worker at The City Barge echoed the sentiment, and said it was "a shame" that the council row arrived on their doorstep just as summer arrives with warmer weather ideal for riverside seating.

Having turned a corner this week, one member of staff at The Bell & Crown said: "They're back it's been quite a story with those chairs but they're back. We're waiting on a licensing application then they'll be back for good hopefully."

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