PUB staffed ripped down a fence after being told its outside space did not meet Covid guidelines... before being told it could be put back up.

The Alma in Copford was told by Colchester Council on Monday it would need to remove the sides from their outdoor marquee as it need to be at least 50 per cent open to the air to meet Government guidelines.

The walls were taken down as requested but council officers visited the pub again on Thursday and found further issues.

A new order was issued to take down a fence between the marquee and the pub’s patio.

The Alma in Copford was told by the council to remove a fence. Picture: Copford Alma/Facebook

The Alma in Copford was told by the council to remove a fence. Picture: Copford Alma/Facebook

Pub staff got out their trusty tools and quickly removed the fencing in order to meet the requirements.

However, the pub said on Friday staff had been told the fence could, in fact, be put back up.

The Alma in Copford was told by the council to remove a fence. Picture: Copford Alma/Facebook

The Alma in Copford was told by the council to remove a fence. Picture: Copford Alma/Facebook

The pub posted on Facebook: “What a bizarre 12 hours that was yesterday.

“The hopefully final update to the whole sorry saga is that some ‘mistakes’ were made and we can indeed put the fence back up and move our tables back to the positions they were in before.

“We had calls from press, other pubs suffering the same frustrating issues and of course lots of lovely supportive comments from The Alma cheerleaders.

“Thank you to everyone who felt a little bit cross on our behalf and let’s put it all behind us and look forward to a wonderful British, read that as wet, Bank Holiday.

“All pubs have had a torrid time and need everyone’s support.”

Confusion - The Alma pub in Copford was told to remove the fence before being told it could stay. Pictures: Copford Alma/Facebook

Confusion - The Alma pub in Copford was told to remove the fence before being told it could stay. Picture: Copford Alma/Facebook

Colchester Council said it would be contacting the landlord to clarify the situation.

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A spokesperson said: “We have worked hard to support local businesses throughout the pandemic and to help them reopen as lockdown restrictions ease.

“This has meant applying guidance to support them to reopen safely, evaluated against the unique circumstances we find in every establishment as well as evolving Government regulations and advice.

“The manager of our Licensing, Food and Safety team will be writing to the landlord of The Alma to clarify the issues in question.”

A Greene King spokesperson said: “Our partner at The Alma has kept us updated on his recent conversations with the council and we are all happy that this misunderstanding has now been resolved and that the pub continues to safely serve its customers in line with all the rules that are currently in place.

"Publicans across the country are working round the clock to rebuild their businesses after months of closure and it’s important that councils and publicans work together to help revitalise local economies.”

Find out more about The Alma at www.facebook.com/CopfordAlma.