29 applications for Derry/Strabane footpath café licences in since July

Fourteen free pavement licence applications have been issued with the Derry and Strabane council considering a further ten.

Last week, members of the Council’s Health & Community committee supported proposals to extend the period during which an application may be made free of charge until August 31.

Committee members also recommended that Council approve an extension of the licence period of existing pavement café licences, with a new expiry date of March 31, 2022.

Since July 1, 2020, Derry City and Strabane District Council says it has received a total of 29 applications for pavement café licences.

To date, fourteen pavement café licences have been issued in total and the local authority says its officers are continuing to work with applicants in relation to ten further ongoing applications.

In addition, the council also said that it was aware of some business premises who have placed furniture on public areas for use by their customers.

However, some of these premises have not made an application for a pavement café licence as of yet, despite advice from Council officers.

DCSDC said that ‘‘allowing applications to be made without the normal fee until August 31, 2021 will provide an opportunity for all businesses wishing to place furniture on public areas with an opportunity to obtain a pavement café licence without being disadvantaged.’’

‘‘Given the unprecedented challenges faced by the hospitality sector at this time, this loss of income may be considered to be in the interest of the local community, many of whom are employed within the sector.’’

The Council believes that extending the period of these licences will provide further support to businesses together with a degree of certainty during the forthcoming period of recovery.

Currently all pavement café licences will expire on February 28, 2021.

Last July the temporary pavement licensing scheme was approved to help city centre traders recover from COVID-19.

All fees associated with the granting of pavement licences were initially waived for a period of six months to help cafés, bars and restaurants accommodate customers in a safe and socially distanced manner.

Unfortunately opportunities to avail of the licences have been limited as a result of the second and third periods of lockdown.