Roadworks licensee sued for non-payment of council tax

A licensee whose pub is facing closure because of prolonged roadworks is being sued by the authority for not paying his council tax.

Steve Foweraker, who moved from London to take over the Carey Arms at Babbacombe, Torquay, has been summoned to appear before South Devon magistrates next Wednesday (March 12).

Mr Foweraker refused to pay his council tax after Torbay Council cut off his pub with emergency roadworks last September.

The improvement scheme was supposed to last 16 weeks but is still going on and has cost Mr Foweraker some £20,000 in lost business, he claims.

The pub is perched on the water's edge at Babbacombe and the council is carrying out the improvements on the only approach road to save the narrow lane from slipping into the sea.

The licensee has branded the court action as ridiculous. He said: "I can't believe the council has the audacity to do this. The authority could ruin my business and yet it is taking me to court for not paying its taxes. It is an absolute joke."

Mr Foweraker was in the process of seeking legal advice over compensation claims when the court summons came through.

He added: "The only way forward now is to see the council in court because it appears to be incapable of seeing common sense."

Mr Foweraker and his wife Val moved to South Devon to take over the pub last August and within a matter of weeks the council moved in to start what it described as "emergency works".

The loss of trade has also left the couple unable to pay their business rates amounting to £8,000 - although the council has granted them a year's deferral.