CAFÉ owner Dave Fairfox-Brown is petitioning Chepstow Town Council after being asked to remove tables placed next to the town’s war memorial.

Poppies Café, located next to the memorial at 15 Beaufort Square, placed two tables and sets of chairs between the cannon and the cenotaph last June, but was asked to remove them by the council after complaints they were disrespectful.

Mr Fairfox-Brown, who also owns the Coach and Horses Inn, has launched a change.org petition to allow the tables back, which has attracted more than 200 signatures. An ex-serviceman himself, he consulted with the Royal British Legion’s Chepstow branch, who unanimously agreed the tables were ‘not disrespectful’. Poppies Cafe has links with the charity, having raised £180 for them in the last three months, including donating 20 per cent of their takings.

When asked for comment, Town Mayor Councillor Paul Pavia said: “The Town Council is aware of the petition and while we appreciate the sentiments espoused by Mr Foxford-Brown on this matter, we have received a number of complaints from both local residents and visitors to the town who feel that having tables and chairs in that space so close to the cenotaph is disrespectful to those who have died and to their families. Therefore we have a duty to respond to those complaints and try and find a satisfactory resolution.

“The other concern we have is whether trading in that space so far away from the curtilage of the retail unit, Poppies Café is in breach of its trading licence. Monmouthshire County Council is the licence provider and we have asked them for clarification.

“When we receive that determination we will discuss this further with Mr Foxford-Brown.”