MANAGERS of a Bewdley bar say they will have no choice but to close shortly after reopening when a market returns later this month.

Stuart Cheshire, entertainment manager and DJ at Arches, says Bewdley Town Council has asked the bar to remove outdoor tables and chairs on Sunday, April 18 to allow room for the returning Riverside Market at the Civic Space.

From Monday, April 12, pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen for outdoor table service, but cannot open for inside table service until May 17.

Mr Cheshire says he is frustrated because this means his bar, at Severnside South, will effectively have to close if outdoor seating cannot be provided whilst the markets are held.

From April 18, LSD Promotions will operate the market on the Civic Space on the first and third Sunday of every month and every bank holiday Monday.

Mr Cheshire told The Shuttle: "We are going to open up on Monday and the following Sunday we are going to be closed.

"Without the tables and chairs they are condemning us to not be able to open.

"We have no choice but to close because we can't open inside. We are falling over a hurdle.

"We understand the market has to go on at some point - but we want a little bit of leeway. There's plenty of public support."

Mr Cheshire says the business will be missing out on a lot of revenue if the pub can't open on the next bank holiday in May.

He says the Courtyard restaurant has also been asked to remove outdoor furniture for the market.

However, LSP Promotions said the two businesses do not need to close for the market's sake.

A spokesperson said: "The Arches pub currently has a number of outdoor tables opposite the premises.

"The market footprint will not affect where these tables and chairs are located.

"The Courtyard need to contact Worcestershire Highways to discuss ways they can have outdoor furniture.

"For a market to work in a town, market traders must be treated equally to bricks and mortar traders.

"Severnside South Civic Space is our contracted location in Bewdley and we have operated within this location for many years."

A spokesperson from Bewdley Town Council also said the businesses are not being asked to close.

They said: "The market attracts a broad spectrum of people into the town benefitting all town retailers and future tourism.

"Businesses with outside dining in a public space are required to hold a Street Amenities (table and chairs) license.

"As part of the street amenities licence businesses are expected to remove the street furniture to allow the markets to operate."