INSIDEBUSINESS Switching over to takeaways
PREMISES which usually sell food for consumption on the premises will be exempt from having to apply for ‘change of use’ planning permission to provide takeaway food for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency.
Prior to Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy introducing the new regulations, Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Stephen Donnelly called on the government to make it easer to switch to serving takeaway.
It was announced last week that all restaurants must only provide a takeaway or home delivery service. Takeaways are still permitted under new regulations made on Friday. Deputy Donnelly said that it was not initially made clear if the red tape for businesses that currently do not operate as a takeaway service would be waived.
‘Under the current regulations in place in general, when not in a time of emergency, sit-in restaurant must get planning permission from their local authority to change to being a takeaway.
The move has received the full backing of the Restaurant Association of Ireland who say similar changes have already been introduced in the UK. ‘We need to do absolutely everything we can to support our local businesses in a time of crisis like this,’ said Deputy Donnelly. ‘Wicklow has a thriving restaurant business with some of the finest eateries in the country.
For a short term the restrictions on restaurants switching over need to be scrapped.
‘It is just common sense that anything that helps businesses to keep their doors open should be supported.’
Deputy Donnelly said that he would urge people to consider ordering in a takeaway over the next few weeks to try support their local businesses.