THE landlord of a North Craven pub which had a closure notice placed on it last week banning the use of the premises for selling alcohol has said he is appealing the sentence and is now selling takeaway food while the restaurant is closed.

The Punch Bowl Hotel, in Low Bentham, became the first pub in the district to be served with a closure notice after being taken to Harrogate Magistrates Court by Craven District Council.

The closure order was granted after alcohol continued to be sold, despite service of a closure notice, which warned that no licence for the sale of alcohol was in place at the premises.

The pub, in Eskrew Lane, run by Douglas Traynor, 71, and his wife, Shanti, 52, is now shut until further notice.

The council was awarded costs of £2,962.

However, Mr Traynor said while no one was allowed to go onto the premises, including the restaurant, they were still able to sell takeaway meals, which they were doing, and the caravan site was still open for business.

"We appreciate all the positive support we have had from people but want to let them know that while we cannot serve alcohol for the time being or serve food in the restaurant, we can still sell takeaways and the caravan site is still open."

Mr Traylor added: "We are appealing the decision from last week's hearing and that will be going in today."

The couple face trial later this year after denying three separate charges where they are alleged to have carried on unauthorised activity, namely the retail sale of alcohol; exposing for sale alcohol, namely bitter, lager, cider, wine and spirits and keeping alcohol on the premises for unauthorised sale at the Punch Bowl Hotel, Low Bentham, contrary to the Licensing Act 2003.

These charges are dated February 11, 2022. A trial date has been set for October 10 at Harrogate and the couple were granted unconditional bail until that date.