A row over the ownership of four parking spaces in Kirkby Stephen has threatened to put jobs on the line and change the heart of the Upper Eden town for good.
At the centre of the quarrel is the Pennine Hotel on Market Square which has occupied a small area of tarmac in front of its premises and transformed it into a seating area.
After a lengthy legal wrangle over the ownership of the small strip of land, the pub’s owner, Huw Evans, 51, has been served with an ultimatum to vacate the parking spaces by October 8.
Mr Evans said: “We’ve created an oasis in the town centre. We’re not just grabbing the land to make more money, we want to adopt the land and create a nice space for customers and the public to enjoy. I’d be happy pay a fee to highways and we’d continue to maintain it ourselves.
“Are these four bays really needed more than what they are currently being used for?”
He initially occupied the space at the start of the pandemic when licensing rules were temporarily relaxed, allowing hospitality businesses more area outside to reduce the spread of COVID.
It then became apparent that the ownership of the parking spaces was unclear and both Kirkby Stephen Town Council and the hotel went to the Land Registry.
Eventually the highways department of Cumbria County Council claimed ownership. The process dragged on, during which time Mr Evans’ business flourished and became centred on outdoor dining.
He now claims that if the area is taken away he will have to let staff go and may even lose the business. He adds that 70-75 per cent of his trade rests upon the small area with artificial grass bringing trade to him and other businesses throughout the town.
“One local said they couldn’t remember a time when the area wasn’t like it is,” he added. “It looks so inviting. It makes people stop off and have a look round the shops too.
“A huge percentage of people are not ready to come inside yet. Has Boris declared all inside meeting safe now?”
A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “The area in front of the Pennine Hotel is part of the publicly maintained highway (so that it “vests” or is in CCC’s ownership for the extent/depth of the highway).
“It is marked out as parking bays for general public use and included in the council’s Traffic Regulation Order.
“Notice has been served for removal of the obstructions, so that the area can resume to be used as parking bays.”
Mr Evans will vacate the parking spaces but hopes to work with Eden District Council’s licensing team to still operate outside seating on the pavement and has contacted MP Neil Hudson in hopes he will take up the cause.
