A ROW has broken out between the owners of one of Liverpool’s oldest pubs and the city council after new restrictions banning day-time beer deliveries.

Old coaching house Thomas Rigby’s and its sister pub, The Lady of Mann, to its rear on Dale Street, are in danger of running dry after they were told by council officials that delivery vehicles are no longer allowed to park outside their premises between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

The owner of both pubs says the new rule will play havoc with their business within the heart of the city’s commercial district.

Ken Lupton, area manager for Heron & Brearley, the Isle of Man-based parent company of both pubs, said delivery vehicles could previously drop off supplies between the hours of 10am and 4pm.

But he said the new rules now bar any deliveries for much of the working day.

Mr Lupton said: “This has resulted in beer supplies being severely affected because our suppliers will not deliver outside of these times.”

He feels the pubs are being short-changed by the council, given the amount of business rates they already hand over.

He said: “The two pubs pay rates of £26,000 per year, and these will more than double over the next five years.”

He has now requested a 30- minute unloading permit, but said that a week later he has yet to receive a reply from the council.

A spokesman for Liverpool city council said that all businesses along Dale Street were consulted ahead of the change, which he explained was due to “flyparking and unloading affecting lots of businesses in Dale Street causing substantial congestion.”

He said no objections were received from anyone, including the pubs, a claim that Thomas Rigby’s licensee Fiona Watkin contests.