UK's first pub zoo frustrated by licensing complications

The Fenn Bell Inn, Kent, was preparing for a busy summer, with animal lovers visiting with hopes of seeing racoons, meerkats and parrots which are among the 300 animals licensees Andy and Kelly Cowell have rescued and brought to the pub garden.

The Cowells thought they were fully licensed to be the first pub of its kind in the UK, but after a misunderstanding with Medway Council they have been told it may take 12 weeks before they will be granted a full zoo licence.

“It’s smack bang in our summer trade, so it’s not good,” Andy Cowell said.

“But it’s not just something you can snap your fingers and do.”

The animal enclosure has been open for eight months, but Medway Council has asked the pub to screen off the monkey enclosure.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “We are waiting for the landlord of the pub to submit an application for a zoo license and have been working with him to ensure this happens but we understand he is still in the process of formally applying.”

The Cowells have been taking in rescue animals, which have all been captivity bred so wouldn’t survive in the wild, for 10 years.

Cowell continued: “Kelly and I always loved animals so we began adopting unwanted pets, and the number grew and grew as more people approached us with animals in need of homes.”

The couple realised they needed to make an income from the animals.

“It is very fulfilling, but also very time-consuming - we haven’t had a holiday for years,” Cowell said.

“Our aim is to give them a good quality of life while also allowing customers to view them and learn more about them.”

The Cowells also run an import business, and will be using the pub profits to pay for the animals’ care.

“The whole purpose of this project is to fund more work with the animals. We are using the pub to support the animals, as opposed to using the animals to support the pub,” Cowell explained.

The animal enclosures are free for customers to view.