A landlord is up in arms after he was told to put out the three fires used to heat his historic pub.
The inspector told Graham Rowson, of the Grade 2 listed Black Horse pub in Preston, that a passer-by had seen smoke coming from the chimney and put in a complaint. He ordered Mr Rowson to stop burning wood in the Victorian fireplaces as he was in breach of the smokeless zone rules, or face a fine of up to £1,000 under the Clean Air Act 1993 if he refuses.
Mr Rowson, who runs the pub with wife Angela, said, "The fireplaces are part of the history of the building and what makes the pub so popular. We’ve actually been named Preston’s city pub of the year by the same council that is now trying to stop what we're doing."
He continued, "All of our regulars are up in arms. Last night we had a party and four councillors, two police officers and two firemen signed our petition to keep the fires. We’ve already got 500 names on the petition and we're thinking about taking it to court.
There is no alternative to the log fire. A log burner would produce the same amount of smoke, and I maintain that our fires do not create any smoke anyway. I cannot understand the humbug attitude of some people in authority. They'll probably ban carol singers next for polluting the atmosphere if they can't sing."
A Preston Council spokesman said, "Burning logs creates pollution through smoke and soot and we have had complaints about the smoke at the Black Horse pub. Like most towns and cities, Preston city centre is covered by a smoke control order that means only smokeless fuels can be burned on an open fire.
Logs can be burned, but only in special wood-burning appliances that take out the soot and smoke. The rules are for the benefit of everyone and we are happy to work with the business owner to help them comply."
