A POPULAR pub’s bid to keep a marquee that has boosted its trade has failed to win over Sidmouth town planners.

A POPULAR pub’s bid to keep a marquee that has boosted its trade has failed to win over Sidmouth town planners.

New owners of the Hare and Hounds Inn at Putts Corner, Sidbury, hope to renew planning permission for the marquee, which runs out on December 12.Heartstone Inns say they are “reassessing the best permanent solution” to extend the premises’ current trade area and have asked the marquee be allowed to stay in place until it is found.

Sidmouth Town Council Planning Committee members last week declined to support the bid, saying the marquee is a “poor” structure in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

East Devon District Council will now decide.