Doncaster bar told to take down Euro flags as they are 'a criminal offence'

Bosses at The Harewood say they have been ordered to remove flags by Doncaster Council. (Photo: The Harewood).

The Harewood in Waterdale has decorated the outside of its premises with an array of flags to mark the Euro 2020 football tournament.

But the venue, which has recently been at loggerheads with Doncaster Council over a number of issues, says it has been ordered to remove the flags, which include the national emblems of Spain, France and Wales.

Posting about the ‘ban’ on Facebook, a spokesman said: “The council have told us we have to take our Euros celebration flags down as it’s a criminal offence to hang them on a street #harewoodbrexit #itsonlyaflag.”

Earlier this month, owner Rod Bloor clashed with Doncaster Council in a row over putting a pavement marquee outside the premises, which are opposite the Council’s Civic Offices.

He said he cannot go ahead with plans for bands and other performances on the pavement area which he uses for alfresco dining and drinking because the council will not allow him to put something up to stop events being rained off.

We desperately need a marquee for inclement weather,” he said.

“If I had the marquee there, and the right number of people, I could pledge money to charities.

“We jump through hoops so that people can sit outside The Harewood, but it could be raining the next moment. That's why I’m asking for a marquee for inclement weather.

Doncaster Council says it has worked to support the venue.

Dan Swaine, director of economy and environment, said: “We have been working closely with the Harewood to help them through the pandemic. This has included agreeing to double their permitted outdoor space to support more trade and custom. Their proposed marquee is unfortunately not covered by the alfresco scheme.”

What are the rules on flying flags outside homes and pubs for Euro 2020?

The government has recently made changes to regulations which widen the types of flags you may fly in England.

The recent changes allow a wider range of national, sub-national, community and international flags.

The issues to consider about driving with flags attached to the car are vision - does the flag obscure the driver or any others drivers vision of the road, and whether it could be classed as an insecure load, i.e. likely to come off and cause damage/injury.

The size of the flag is also an issue on cars - a normal flag (usually about the size of A4 paper) would not normally cause any problems but obviously the larger the flag the more potential for problems.

There is an offence of having a mascot/emblem on the car that, if the vehicle were to collide with someone, the mascot would strike them and cause injury.

If the mascot is not likely to cause injury to a person by reason that it may bend.

The full list of flags that do not require consent are:

(a) Any country’s national flag, civil ensign or civil air ensign;

(b) The flag of the Commonwealth, the European Union, the United Nations or any other international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member;

(d) The flag of the Black Country, East Anglia, Wessex, any Part of Lincolnshire, any Riding of Yorkshire or any historic county within the United Kingdom; (e) The flag of Saint David;

(f) The flag of Saint Patrick;

(g) The flag of any administrative area within any country outside the United Kingdom;

(h) Any flag of Her Majesty’s forces;

(i) The Armed Forces Day flag.

The flags of St George and St Andrew are recognised as the national flags of England and Scotland, but the flags of St David and St Patrick are listed separately as they do not necessarily fall into the category of a country’s national flag.