A SUPER sleuth parish councillor claims he has debunked one of Tiptree’s longest-running myths.

Rhys Smithson, of West End Road, Tiptree, says residents have believed for years that there is a covenant which means a blanket-ban on alcohol licensing on Church Road.

But after extensive research, he claims he wants to get the word out that it is just an “old wives’ tale.”

He said: “There has been a long-held belief amongst villagers that you can’t sell alcohol on Church Road because of a restrictive covenant.

“It’s often quoted as the reason there are no pubs or restaurants on what is effectively Tiptree’s main shopping street.

“I moved to the area about four years ago and I was intrigued when I heard about it. I’d heard a lot of rumours. Someone said it was because of the church, the Quakers, and someone else said it was because of Wilkin & Sons.

“I got bored of all the rumours, so I decided to look into it myself.”

Mr Smithson started digging online.

He added: “I spoke to the Quakers and Colchester Borough Council and they have no record of it.

“I went to the Land Registry and started selecting addresses at random.

“For a small fee you can see the landowners and a bit more information.

“As I’ve gone down the list there are in fact covenants, dated from the 1920s, over some of properties which prevent the land being turned into hotels or pubs.

“One of them that I stumbled upon was actually from Wilkin & Sons. They sold a property on the road and said it can’t be used for selling alcohol, which is ironic as now they sell and make their own, I believe.”

Rhys says although some properties have covenants, there is no blanket ban on the road, as believed by some residents.

He added: “I think it’s had quite a significant impact on Tiptree. Whenever we want to do something for the village, it does have this impact that people just assume things will never be allowed to happen.

“It puts people off opening bars and restaurants there, which is why it’s practically empty in the evening.

“I think it’s led to more anti-social behaviour along that road because there are no people about after 6pm.

“I don’t think it would hurt for the information to get out there.

“In a way, I hope it can revitalise the street and get residents to push for a lot more.”