OPENING UP
103 Newcastle pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants allowed to open pavement areas from Monday
MORE than 100 Newcastle pubs, restaurants, bars, and cafes will be able to use pavement areas when lockdown restrictions are eased next week.
Ahead of hospitality venues being allowed to resume outdoor service on Monday for the first time in months, city council bosses have confirmed that they have fast-tracked 45 applications for new pavement cafe spots to help more businesses to operate – which they must do with smoke-free spaces.
In total, Newcastle now has 103 businesses that can offer al fresco food and drink via pavement licences.
Newly approved locations since the Government announced new powers to make it easier for venues to expand outside last summer include the Mark Toney ice cream parlours and seven venues on Grey Street, which has seen a 140% rise in pavement cafes.
Ed Foster, Newcastle City Council’s head of public safety and regulation, said: “We have cut red tape as best we can, making applying for licence variations easier and cheaper, be that to offer things like a takeaway service or outside pavement cafe-style seating areas, or to change the layout of premises.
“And we’ve encouraged publicans, restaurateurs, and cafe owners to let us know what their reopening plans are, so we can support them.
“We know that, from the last year, parts of the economy can restart successfully and that people are capable of being sensible, social distancing and showing respect for others around them and we can only encourage the public to follow the measures that businesses put in place.”
Stephen Patterson, of business improvement district company NE1 Ltd, said: “Enabling more of Newcastle city centre to cater for al fresco dining, drinking and other cultural activities will have a transformational effect, allowing people to return and to enjoy the city safely whatever the weather.
“More than anything, our businesses are looking forward to opening their doors once again and welcoming customers back.
“It’s been a long year and we are delighted to see the city begin to reopen, business begin trading and people start enjoying themselves once again.”
The vast majority of Newcastle’s pavement licences are in the city centre and the Quayside, with only a handful more in areas like Jesmond and Heaton.
The list does include at least one business that in fact won’t be reopening after lockdown – Eden in The Gate – and doesn’t feature venues that have beer gardens or outside spaces on their own premises, rather than on the public highway.