A POPULAR village pub near Penrith and 'focal point' for the community has been knocked back in its bid to retain the equipment it needs to operate as a restaurant.

The Boot and Shoe Inn, in Greystoke, has had retrospective planning application for the retention of its external chiller and freezer units refused by Westmorland and Furness Council planners.

The units have been in situ and operational since July 2022 but after more than two years, the application, which was submitted in September 2022, was dismissed by planners for reasons of 'noise and disturbance'.

The decision was made following a visit by an environmental health officer to assess the noise and vibration levels affecting a neighbouring property.

The decision notice said: "In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the noise and vibration levels of the fridge and chiller units will not result in noise and disturbance affecting occupiers of the neighbouring residential property resulting in harm to the amenity of the occupiers of that dwelling."

A statement submitted by the owners of the Grade II Listed pub saidthe units were vital for the hostelry to remain operational.

It said: "The Boot and Shoe is more than just a business, and more than just a drinking establishment, with a well-supported restaurant, which is required to keep the business afloat.

"As a public house, it cannot survive on wet trade sales only, therefore it provides a very real and important service to the community, with many of the older village residents (some who live alone) having a warm meal, and this helps strengthen social networks between people who might mot otherwise meet."

The applicant states that figures show that around 30 pubs are currently closing in Britain every week.

The equipment in question is not attached to any Listed part of the building, and is located at the back of the pub.

The statement concludes: "Once a village pub is gone it is difficult to bring them back, and this is already the case in neighbouring villages who have now lost their focal point and community asset."