OUTSIDE DINING EXTENSION PLAN IS NOW OFF THE MENU
Safety concerns raised in city’s Cafe Quarter
Businesses in Perth’s Cafe Quarter have been ordered to scale back new larger outdoor areas, the PA can reveal.
Cafes and restaurants had taken advantage of an increase in the size of the on-street zone to attract more custom.
But after concerns were raised about the safety of pedestrians and the impact on wheelchair users, the council has revoked the permission.
The local authority will now look to find a solution to increase capacity while keeping the area safe.
In an email seen by the PA, the council’s city and rural town centre management officer Emily Queen said: “Only when this is in place will the Cafe Quarter businesses be permitted to occupy any additional space for outdoor seating.”
Perth and Kinross Council has told businesses in Perth’s Cafe Quarter to scale back larger outdoor zones due to fears over safety.
The move came after a complaint the extra seating space made the area dangerous and inaccessible for people with disabilities.
In an email to resident Charlie Stevenson, seen by the PA, the council’s city and rural town centre management officer Emily Queen confirmed that permission for “temporary occupation of additional space” had been “revoked until a solution can be sought for safe and suitable pedestrian access for all”.
She added: “Only when this is in place will the cafe quarter businesses be permitted to occupy any additional space for outdoor seating.”
It is understood alternative access routes had to be put in place, along with new licenses issued before businesses could expand.
But neither of these requirements have been satisfied and businesses have been warned not to occupy the space.
Charlie, who works in the care sector with people with disabilities, contacted the council this week raising his concerns.
He told the PA the area was unsafe as it forced people in wheelchairs onto the cobbled streets, as well as forcing pedestrians to share space with vehicles.
He said: “I noticed that all the tables were right out to the edge of the pavement. There was no access for pedestrians who actually had to go onto the road, and it’s not as if the cafe quarter is fully pedestrianised.
“People in wheelchairs would actually need to go on to the cobbles.
“Obviously the council has not done a proper risk assessment before granting permission.
“There’s been no thought put into it.” Charlie added: “In my opinion they should pedestrianise all of St John’s Place, that would make it a great asset to the city”
The infrastructure changes were initially welcomed by some politicians in the city, with Councillor Chris Ahern describing them as “a fantastic boost to my ward”.
But businesses will now be forced to think again before pressing ahead to open up more of the area to diners.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “A range of measures were put in place across Perth and Kinross to assist with physical distancing and support businesses as lockdown eased.
“We have removed the additional outdoor seating space for cafe quarter businesses after concerns were raised the pavement was inaccessible for pedestrians.
“We will continue to work with businesses in this area to find a solution that will provide them with additional space while guaranteeing safe access for pedestrians.”