The outdoor café at Cheltenham's Pittville Pump Room will stay open, despite the council saying it must close.

The Heritage Café Orangery was opened at the Grade I listed building during the pandemic, when planning restrictions were restricted for short-term temporary structures, to allow businesses to operate safely.

The temporary period of relaxation ended on September 30 and businesses which wanted to continue to use had to apply to the council for planning permission.

The application by The Cheltenham Trust, a not-for-profit charity, to retain the outdoor café was turned down by Cheltenham Borough Council's planning committee.

A spokesman for The Cheltenham Trust said: "Following the recent decision of the council's planning committee to refuse the temporary planning application for the temporary orangery structure at Pittville Pump Room, based on the aesthetic impact on the west side of the venue, The Cheltenham Trust will be submitting a new planning application for temporary permission for the temporary orangery structure that mitigates the reason for refusal."

In the meantime, The Heritage Café Orangery remains open for customers.

The spokesman continued: "The orangery café is the anchor for free and inclusive community events, including this year's extensive Christmas programme at the Pump Room and park, the highlight of which will be the free community Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday November 26, which is expected to attract thousands of people."

The planning committee gave temporary planning permission for two years for The Cheltenham Trust's temporary orangery at the Garden Bar in Imperial Gardens to continue.

The spokesman said: "The trust will continue to build on the success of the Garden Bar Orangery and its contribution to the local and visitor economy of Cheltenham, its local community and the wider cultural programme. This Christmas it will be transformed into an après ski bar, complementing Cheltenham's festive offer, hosting a full programme of free, live music throughout the winter months."

The news follows the decision by Cheltenham's planning committee that temporary structures outside 131 Promenade must also be removed.