Planning Inspectorate overturns Greenwich council bid to shut Trafalgar Tavern beer garden

A Planning Inspectorate ruling has overturned Greenwich Council's enforcement action aimed at shutting down the Trafalgar Tavern's outdoor seating along the Thames Path. The 200-year-old Grade II-listed pub sits on the river with views toward Canary Wharf and the Shard, and had faced the prospect of losing one of the capital's best known beer gardens after the council said the tables created visual clutter and hindered access.

Greenwich Council argued that the Thames Path, a narrow riverside walkway, must remain easily passable for pedestrians, wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. The council said the al fresco tables restricted movement and raised safety concerns, and it issued an enforcement notice to remove the seating. The Trafalgar Tavern, run by landlord Frank Dowling and managed by Vasil Vasilev since 2017, warned that removing the tables would cost staff their jobs and harm a popular tourist draw.

The Planning Inspectorate concluded that the pub could use a small section of the Thames Path known as The Knuckle for external drinking and dining, subject to the submission and approval of a strict management plan within three months. The decision notes that The Knuckle is a narrow stretch that can be difficult for pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities during busy periods, and it identifies the risk posed by staff movements and the handling of hot food and crockery. The enforcement notice was quashed and planning permission was granted for the use of the area, with the condition that a detailed plan ensure pedestrian safety and minimize clutter.

Vasil Vasilev welcomed the ruling as a turning point for the business and its staff. He said the decision is of paramount importance because it allows the pub to retain its outside seating and keep staff on, while meeting the needs of customers who want to sit outside in good weather. Dowling likewise said the outcome was positive and that the pub can now invest in improvements to the outdoor area to enhance the experience for patrons and visitors.

Greenwich Council, in its statement, emphasized that it sought a practical balance between supporting a historic pub and protecting a publicly accessible path that lies within a World Heritage site. The council reiterated that its aim was to keep the Thames Path accessible to everyone and to avoid establishing a precedent in which private businesses claim part of public land. The authority said the decision requires a management plan detailing how the space will be used safely and with minimal disruption to pedestrians and cyclists, and that the plan must be approved before any changes are implemented.

Context and significance: The Trafalgar Tavern is a well-known 200-year-old riverside establishment with views toward Canary Wharf and landmarks such as the Shard. The Thames Path is a popular route for walkers and tourists, and Greenwich town centre is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The dispute underscores the tension between maintaining strict public space rules and enabling businesses to operate al fresco dining in historic settings, especially where tourism and local economies rely on such amenities. The inspector's ruling seeks a balanced approach that preserves public access while allowing a historic pub to continue its traditional role along the Greenwich riverside.

Officials say the public will benefit from clearly defined restrictions on use of the path and from a formal management plan that addresses safety, crowding and accessibility. The plan must be submitted for approval within three months, after which the pub can begin implementing the approved arrangements. The decision leaves the Trafalgar Tavern with a pathway that is accessible to the vast majority of users while offering a controlled outdoor space that aligns with the pub's long-standing place in the Greenwich riverside landscape.