Schools park and stride to run from The Castle after Spotted Dog pulls out
Last week, the landlord at The Spotted Dog pub, Gladstone Lane, said that he would no longer allow St Mark’s School park and stride scheme – which allows parents to park away from the school gates and walk their children the rest of the way – to operate from his car park after West Berkshire Council refused him permission to keep a marquee erected in the pub’s grounds on a permanent basis.
The school only became aware of the situation after reading last week’s report in the Newbury Weekly News, where The Spotted Dog landlord Kevin Dobson made his comments.
In a letter sent to parents, St Mark’s said that neighbouring pub The Castle, Cold Ash Hill, had stepped in and offered its car park as an alternative.
It read: “Use of the car park at the pub [The Spotted Dog] by parents was originally negotiated with a previous landlord, to try to ease the congestion at school drop-off and pick-up times in the village for the benefit of the residents of Cold Ash.
“This was then carried on by successive landlords of the pub.
“Whilst no contact has been made with the school regarding this matter, it is felt that he has made his position quite clear and parents should no longer use The Spotted Dog car park for dropping off and picking up the children.
“I am pleased to advise that the landlady of The Castle Pub, next door to The Spotted Dog, has telephoned the school to advise that parents are welcome to use the car park at the rear as a replacement park and stride facility, with immediate effect, and we are very grateful to her for the kind offer.”
Landlady Maggie Hex said that she was happy to help because pupil safety was her main concern.
She added that the pub had always been supportive of the school, having helped out with events such as the school fete, and it was where her sons had gone.
The Spotted Dog was told by the council that it would need to remove the marquee by March 25. Mr Dobson’s appeal was rejected by government inspector Simon Hand, following a three-year planning battle.
Speaking to the newspaper last week, Mr Dobson said that he would no longer allow the park and stride scheme to operate from the pub because it had been a goodwill gesture but he didn’t feel it was his place now “to provide the council with car parking for the school”.
