COUNCILLORS are finding out what regulations are in place about smoking outside pub doorways in Wellington.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s environment committee recently heard there were ongoing problems with discarded cigarette ends leaving the area outside the Iron Duke pub on the corner of North Street and Fore Street looking unattractive.

Town clerk Kathryn Hemensley said the manager of the Iron Duke had advised that ‘his staff never smoke outside’ but it was alleged to still be happening.

“A makeshift ashtray is believed to be encouraging smoking outdoors and smokers are blocking the pavements at times,” she added.

Councillors agreed at Wellington’s full council meeting to investigate whether any by-laws or licensing conditions exist concerning smoking around pubs. They will also send a letter of complaint to the J. D. Wetherspoon’s head office regarding the Iron Duke situation.

A problem has also arisen in the area with pigeon fouling – after anti-pigeon spiking was removed from the roof of the TUI building in Fore Street, next door to the Iron Duke.

Councillors have decided to write to the Diocese of Rochester, the building’s owner, to reinstall the anti-pigeon measures on the TUI building.