A petition has been launched to save a children’s play park, outdoor decking area and marquee from being removed from a Cwmban pub.
The pub’s owners fear that if they have to follow a Torfaen Council request to remove them, the pub will no longer be viable and will close.
The Castell y Bwch pub in Henllys was taken over by new owners in late 2022. The pub already had a large decking area where people sit and enjoy the pub’s countryside views.
In 2023, Gary and Karen built a children’s play area and marquee to give the pub some “unique selling points” and attract visitors.
But now an issue over planning permission has led to a request from the council to remove the three features.
Gary told Cwmbran Life: “We’ve been trying to work with them [Torfaen Council] but it seems to be getting nowhere.
“We’re trying to galvanise public support. If we lose our unique selling points (USP), the viewing area off the decking, the kiddies’ play park, and events in the marquee, why will people come to the pub? It will in all likelihood close.
“Eighty pubs a month close across England and Wales, and more are in Wales.
“People aren’t going out the same so you’ve got to have USPs to bring people to the pub.”
He said the 2023 summer and so far in 2024, the weather has been poor and this has put more pressure on pubs.
“We’ve got an online petition and one in the pub, so well over 1,000 signatures,” said Gary.
“It’s growing all the time, and people are asking to take them away [to get friends and workmates to sign].
“There is a lot of public support, to assist us as well. Hopefully we’ll be able to meet and come up a means to resolve it. They’ve got to tell me what I’ve got to do.”
A Torfaeen Council spokesperson said: “The Council is currently investigating unauthorised development at the premises and are working with the owners to resolve the matter.”
The online petition is on the pub’s website.