Heartbroken publican Richard Belam paints blue White Hind Bar grey

Yesterday work began on painting the White Hind Bar grey.

The former Belam's Bar and Bistro underwent a re-brand last month when licensee, Richard Belam, painted the building blue.

However, the District council objected to the blue because the pub is in the Newark town centre conservation area and a listed building.

The change of colour prompted a letter from Newark and Sherwood District Council planners that said Mr Belam would need to apply for retrospective planning permission, which would be likely to be refused.

Since then, Richard said that has reached an agreement to paint the bar grey, but he is still heartbroken.

He said: "It is heartbreaking and frustrating that this is the outcome.

"The council wanted us to paint it back to a cream or white. But the nature of our business means that those colours wouldn't be suitable.

"We looked at the opticians next to Tony and Guy in the Market Place because they had a grey colour. We had a chat with them and they told us the shade they had.

"We negotiated with the council and settled for a slightly darker grey than that.

"I am heartbroken I can't keep it blue.

"The public support and response has been unbelievable but sadly that doesn't matter to the council.

"It doesn't how many people complain or how many people sign a petition, public views don't carry any standing with these decisions."