THE owner of the Castle View Hotel in Chepstow has been told to remove a festive ‘red bow’ painted on the front of the building.

After the red bow hit national headlines, it has sparked a debate in Chepstow about the lack of festive decorations in the lower part of the town.

Owner Michael Currey will be issued with an enforcement notice this week by Monmouthshire County Council, ordering him to remove the red bow because the building is Grade II listed and in the Chepstow Conservation area.

Mayor of Chepstow Cllr Paul Pavia said: “Personally, I think this issue has been blown out of all proportion. To be fair to Michael, his initiative has generated fantastic publicity nationally, not just for his business but for the town.

“I understand the decision made by Monmouthshire County Council, it is important to protect the historic, aesthetic look of the town, as that is one of the town’s most significant selling points. However, as it was a festive decoration, the likelihood it was going to be kept up for the rest of the year was very unlikely.

“The underlying principle of why Mr Curry did this is something I do take seriously; perhaps the Town Council has neglected the businesses at the bottom end of the town.

“Personally, I would like to see a Christmas festival take place down in the car park, which could happen over an extended weekend in December and have the look and feel of a European Christmas market.

“That would take some planning and organisation and we would need the support of local businesses and volunteers but if the will is there, I can’t see why we couldn’t facilitate that to happen.”

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “The Castle View Hotel is a listed building within Chepstow’s conservation area.

“Having investigated and spoken with the proprietor we will issue an enforcement notice this week on Mr Currey which takes effect on 31st December.

“This will require him to remove the bow and repaint the exterior to its original colour by 8th January.”