Pubs win battle with council that tried to remove riverside picnic tables - but police sent to ‘warn’ man who exposed the issue

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Last week, bosses at The City Barge and The Bell & Crown in Strand-on-the-Green, were given until Monday to remove all its outdoor furniture by Labour-run Hounslow Council - which has since backed down after a furious backlash among landlords and regulars.

The pubs claimed they were informed by council officers that they were "obligated" to launch the probe into the licensing arrangements, which was attributed to Green Party councillor Rick Rowe.

On Thursday, pub regular Alistair Hilton posted a video on X in which two police officers can be seen warning him against "harassing" Mr Rowe.

Mr Rowe, a councillor representing Chiswick Riverside ward who was elected in May 2026, has denied asking the pubs to remove the tables.

In the clip, a police officer asks Mr Hilton whether he's "aware that if you schedule a protest outside a councillor's house that it’s an offence.”

He stresses that this is "just so you're aware, as opposed to an insinuation or an accusation".

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Mr Hilton responds: "I haven't scheduled any protest...I was at the Bell and Crown."

The officer continues: "Just be aware again that your behaviour that I have seen on certain posts could be construed as harassment."

In a caption to the video, Mr Hilton said: "Two policemen have just come into the pub and asked me to step outside.

"I have stepped outside and they have threatened me because I tweeted about a councillor banning seating outside pubs in Chiswick.

"They admit on video (watch it!) that I did not break the law at all. They came to threaten me. To warn me off tweeting about councillors and the council."

Mr Rowe told LBC News he is a regular at the pub and had actually been trying to help them retain their outdoor seating.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "On Thursday, 2 July at 17:01hrs officers received a report from an elected official of malicious communications, harassment and public order concerns.

"Local officers from the borough, following advice from the Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit, spoke informally to an individual about the matter. They were advised about new legislation, Section 162 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which outlines the offence of protesting outside or in the vicinity of the home of a public office holder.

"The individual is not the subject of an investigation and was not arrested.

"Reports relating to potential threats, harassment or activity near a public office holder's home are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with appropriate advice and safeguarding measures implemented as required."

The dispute broke out when a third pub, The Bull's Head, applied to the authority to renew its license, and it then emerged that the other two pubs were without one.

The council has since reached an agreement with the pubs to allow them to keep the seating in place while they submit licensing applications, the Chiswick Calendar reports.

Under the Highways Act, the establishments did not have permission to place tables and chairs on the public pavement but managers and residents said the seating had been in place for decades.

On Wednesday, Mr Hilton posted a photo of the City Barge pub on X, with the caption: "This is the City Barge pub in Chiswick right now. What do you notice? It’s 3pm and they’re open.

"It’s a sunny day. Yes, that’s right; they have had to remove all of the tables and chairs outside. They have had to destroy their own business.

"Why? Because Rick Rowe, a Green Party councillor on Hounslow council, who lives very, very, very close to this pub and complains about it almost daily, has banned all three pubs here on strand on the Green Chiswick, from having outside tables."

In another X post later that same day, he encourages locals to attend a "protest meeting" at the pub against the council edict.

Mr Rowe has denied asking for the seating to be removed, stating: "I have been working hard to ensure the council allows seating to remain while the licensing applications are reviewed.

"The council has now confirmed with the three pubs that it will not be taking enforcement action while the applications are being considered.

"Licensing and enforcement decisions sit with Labour-run Hounslow council, its officers and the Labour Cabinet member responsible for licensing."

A Hounslow Council spokesperson said: "We recognise the important role that riverside pubs play in the local community and appreciate their contribution to the area’s economy and character.

"We are required by law to ensure that any outdoor seating and structures placed on the public highway or riverside towpath have the appropriate permissions in place and do not obstruct access for pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with pushchairs or emergency services.

"Following inquiries regarding outdoor furniture and installations at a number of premises on Strand-on-the-Green, officers reviewed the relevant permissions and licence arrangements.

"Where tables, chairs, shelving or other removable furniture are placed on the public highway, businesses are required to hold a pavement licence."