A resident has claimed "sewage has been flowing for months' outside the JD Wetherspoon’s Albany Palace pub in Trowbridge into an alleyway.

The claim comes after the pub reopened in June following a £2.2 million refurbishment and redevelopment.

A man, who does not want to be named, says sewage has been overflowing “for months and months and months” into a narrow alleyway at the rear of the Park Road pub.

The man added: “Raw sewage, in vast quantities has been flooding the alleyway for months and months and months, and is flooded below the new walk-in fridge, literally right beneath it.

“The sewage overflows when the pub is busy and when there’s heavy rainfall."

Specialists from Trent’s Drains in Bristol work to rectify the problems with sewers at the Albany Palace pub in Trowbridge. Specialists from Trent’s Drains in Bristol work to rectify the problems with sewers at the Albany Palace pub in Trowbridge. (Image: Trevor Porter)

A spokesperson for the pub confirmed the pub suffered a leak from a soil pipe located beneath a listed cobbled area at the back of the pub within Wetherspoon’s ownership.

They added: “In addition, Wetherspoon restricted use of the area, applied tanking to contain the leak and undertook professional hygiene cleans."

Emergency specialists from Trent’s Drains in Bristol were spotted working to rectify the problems.

Wetherspoon is still awaiting approval for a planning application to install the new walk-in freezer in its rear courtyard area behind the pub with a steel and polycarbonate roofing cover.

It also wants to install a new metal ramp to an existing platform leading to the fire exit and a new condenser unit in the rear courtyard.

The man claimed: "Heavy new equipment, including a new walk-in freezer, has caused the alleyway’s cobbled stone surface and sewers below to collapse."

A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon said: “The Albany Palace in Trowbridge suffered a leak from a soil pipe located beneath a listed cobbled area at the back of the pub within Wetherspoon’s ownership. The area is not a shared alleyway.

“Wetherspoon is repairing the damaged section of pipework which will be done by the end of this week.

“To access and repair the pipework, listed building consent was required to remove, clean and replace the historic cobbles.

“In addition, Wetherspoon restricted use of the area, applied tanking to contain the leak and undertook professional hygiene cleans.

“The external walk-in freezer is located on a separate tarmacked area at the rear of the pub and is not affected by the leak.

“The beer keg store room is located on the first floor. Empty beer barrels have been relocated away from the affected cobbled area.

“Contrary to the allegation, the leak did not extend to under the new walk-in freezer or under the pub.

“At all stages, Wetherspoon has been liaising with the Council, Listed Building Officer and Environmental Health Officer and there has been no risk to food, employee and customer safety.

“Upon the recommendations of an acoustic consultant engaged by Wetherspoon following noise complaints, the condenser units have been relocated to the roof."

Cllr Dominic Muns, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “The public protection team have received complaints about drainage related to the Albany Palace and the resident’s accommodation.

“We understand contractors are on-site working to resolve the issues with the drainage system.

“The council is presently assessing a planning application at the Albany Palace and the public protection team have been consulted and have commented on noise reports submitted in association with the planning application in order to ensure the amenity of local residents is protected.

“A decision is expected in the next few weeks. Once the planning application has been determined the public protection team will reappraise the situation in that context.”