Restaurant owners’ joy as great outdoors beckons
ABRISTOL street that is lined with restaurants will be temporarily pedestrianised to allow them to trade outdoors next month.
After months of campaigning, hospitality venues on Cotham Hill received the news they were hoping for when Bristol City Council announced the road will be closed to traffic from April 12.
The closure will allow them to operate with outdoor seating areas before they can reopen for indoor service from May 17, in line with the Government’s four-step roadmap.
A consultation on the proposed pedestrianisation took place between November and January and received 2,632 responses, with the majority of respondents stating their desire to see the plans go ahead.
But not all nearby residents are on board with the scheme, with some suggesting the scheme is “unworkable and dangerous to the public”. However, business owners say they will act responsibly to ensure it goes smoothly.
Louis Lewis-Smith, owner of the Crying Wolf cocktail bar, said the pedestrianisation will make Cotham Hill a “beautiful place for people to eat and drink” while providing a boost to business owners.
“Of course we understand that some residents have concerns, but as business owners it’s up to us to be responsible and diligent to allay their fears,” he said.
“I think it’s a really positive scheme for the community which will make Cotham Hill a beautiful place for people to enjoy a bite to eat and a few drinks.
“Not only that but we’re all clinging on by our fingertips after being shut for so long, so it’s pretty crucial that we can start trading again at the first opportunity.”
As well as allowing hospitality businesses to embrace al fresco dining, the pedestrianisation will improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, said the council.
Two parts of the road will be closed to through traffic, between Whiteladies Gate and Hampton Lane, and between Hampton Park and Abbotsford Road.
While the closure is initially a temporary response to the pandemic, the council will monitor its impact to help design a similar, long-term scheme.
Kieran Waite, co-owner of hospitality group Season & Taste, which runs tapas bar Bravas, is hopeful the pedestrianisation can become a permanent feature – admitting it would be challenging to survive until May without it.
“We’re so thankful to everyone who has supported us in recent months by ordering takeaways from us,” he said. “But as social restrictions are eased and places reopen in April, it’s likely that the number of orders will decline.
“It’s therefore absolutely vital that we’re able to trade when that happens; if we weren’t able to open it would be very hard to make it to May.
“We’ve been campaigning for this since last May and we’re so relieved it has now been confirmed. There’s no question it’s a huge lifeline for all of us.
“Not everyone is fully on board with the idea and that was to be expected, but overall it’s undeniably a popular idea and we think it will greatly improve the area.”
Bars and restaurants are currently working on their exact reopening plans, but it’s likely each of them will have a handful of covered tables and chairs outside for customers.
Business owners believe there are also other benefits to the pedestrianisation of Cotham Hill, aside from allowing them to start welcoming customers again.
Dominic Borel, owner of Pasta Loco, is looking forward to serving pizzas and Aperol Spritz on the al fresco strip.
He said: “At one point we were beginning to think it would never happen, but we got there in the end and it will really help all of us.
“The pedestrianisation will make the road far more attractive and will of course allow us to reopen from April 12, which is so important.
“Not only that but it will reduce the amount of pollution in the area which I think will be really noticeable straight away, and will also make it easier and safer for people queuing for the post office.
“Overall it gets a huge thumbs-up from Pasta Loco and we can’t wait to make the most of it.”
I think it’s a really positive scheme for the community which will make Cotham Hill a beautiful place for people to enjoy a bite to eat and a few drinks LOUIS LEWIS-SMITH