A Hereford businessman is getting hot under the collar after his plans for an open air caf were scrapped by Herefordshire Council.

Luke Conod, licensee of the Orange Tree, in King Street, claims he has been trying to encourage the council to adopt a more 'continental attitude' in Hereford for several years.

He started a continental-style street caf outside the pub with the full backing of the council's economic development directorate but was then ordered to remove it by the planning directorate.

A former director of Hereford City Partnership, Mr Conod said: "Tourists and locals loved the street caf, it had one of the best views of the Cathedral in the city. I am dismayed at the attitude of the council and was totally gutted when I was told to remove it."

He added: "I'm not saying that people should be allowed to walk through the centre of the town swigging from a can of lager or cider!

"A relaxed continental-style caf culture would help to encourage a wider age range of people to stay in the centre after offices and shops have closed and help to reduce anti-social behaviour."

Revoked

But Andy Tector, Herefordshire Council's head of environmental health and trading standards, said there was no option but to revoke Mr Conod's trial licence after he 'continually flouted two straightforward but fundamental conditions.'

"The Orange Tree was to clear away the platform and furniture each night after the close of business and that patrons were not allowed to drink alcohol at the tables in the street," said Mr Tector.

"After substantiated complaints from the public, and after consultation with the police, his trial licence was revoked."

Mr Conod has also accused Herefordshire Council of double standards alleging that it allowed a licence for the tasting of French cider at a French farmers' market in the city centre - a supposedly alcohol free zone.

But the council refutes the accusations made against it.

Mr Tector responded: "Firstly, the magistrates' court is in charge of liquor licensing and not Herefordshire Council.

"The recently successful European market, held in High Town, was granted a temporary, or occasional licence, to serve alcohol to enable the tasting of various ciders - Herefordshire and French.

"The occasional licence was granted on the understanding that it was for "tastings" only."