FROM Monday, April 26, pubs in Wales can begin pouring pints and serving customers in beer gardens, outside terraces, and marquees.

In order to comply, many pubs have invested in revamping outdoor seating areas to begin welcoming customers back as soon as it's safely possible.

However, Richard Watkin - the owner of popular Wrexham eatery the Fat Boar - was left scratching his head after being told that part of his outdoor seating area was deemed to be indoors.

The business owner took to his social media page on Tuesday saying: “Interesting phone call today. See that posh bus shelter thingy in the picture - apparently that’s classed as being indoors.”

The tweet, accompanied by a photo of the pubs outdoor area that includes a wooden covering, attracted a wide array of comments on social media with people quick to criticise the council’s decision.

Many couldn’t believe what they were reading and branded it as “stupid” and “an absolute joke” and hoped that “common sense” would prevail in overturning the decision.

Welsh Government guidelines used by Wrexham Council in making the call state that open-air spaces must be 75 per cent open, a spokesman confirmed.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham’s Lead Member Communities Collaboration and Partnerships, tweeted: “Welsh Government have not updated their guidelines since October last year.

“Council officers are working with Fat Boar to find a safe and legal solution to help them.”

The Leader understands that a meeting will take place between the council and the Fat Boar on this decision later this week.