Outdoor seats and pub marquees ‘could help to revive high street’
MORE OUTDOOR seating, closing roads to cars and allowing marquees outside pubs are steps being considered to boost the high street, the Communities Secretary has said.
Robert Jenrick outlined his ambitions for revitalising shopping areas while also confirming he will announce “shortly” the Government’s “comprehensive plan” to ensure councils have “financial stability for the remainder of this year” in light of Covid-19.
Speaking in the Commons yesterday, Mr Jenrick said: “Helping our towns and cities to develop safe trading environments, particularly on high streets, is vital to this Government’s efforts to kickstart our economy, get people back to work and get businesses trading again. We continue to examine all the options to revitalise our high streets.
“I want to spark a vibrant cafe
‘I want to spark a vibrant cafe culture to support hospitality businesses.’
culture to support hospitality businesses, making it easier for them to operate outdoors with seating and tables, for temporary markets to set up and for the streets to be temporarily pedestrianised.
“Many councils are already doing these fantastic things and I’ll be publishing our plans shortly.”
Conservative MP Felicity Buchan (Kensington) suggested a
“temporary relaxation” of licensing laws could allow more tables and chairs on pavements.
Mr Jenrick replied: “I would like to see more outdoor seating, for that to be easier and cheaper for small businesses to get licences for.
“More temporary markets, more pedestrianisation and for it to be easier to do things like put marquees outside pubs for longer this summer.
“All the things we need to do to help our economy to get going in the summer months.
“And I will be working with local councils to bring forward our proposals very shortly.”
MPs also raised questions about local authority funding given their efforts in responding to the coronavirus crisis.
Last month, reported fears that a number of towns halls around the region would be forced to effectively declare bankruptcy because of their financial situation.