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17/06/2013
New Licensing Proposals For 'Cafe Culture'
The Department for Social Development (DSD) has outlined proposals for a new licensing scheme that would enable cafe, bar and restaurant owners to seek permission from local councils to place tables and chairs in public places.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland introduced a Pavement Cafe Bill into the Assembly today.
Under the new rules, councils would be able to impose conditions, vary, suspend or revoke a licence and charge a "reasonable" fee.
A report from the DSD said: "There has been a significant increase in the number of pavement cafés operating in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, particularly since the 2007 introduction of the smoking ban. However, no legislation exists to enable the authorisation and control of such areas.
"The initiative is aimed at the local business community and would apply to the proprietors of relevant businesses such as cafés, restaurants, hotels and pubs who propose to provide a designated outdoor area furnished with tables and chairs for the benefit of their customers. Developing a café culture can have a positive effect on urban environments, help promote town and city centres, make a difference in terms of attracting visitors and tourists, and contribute to the general well-being of communities."
Outlining his plans, Minister McCausland said: "’The popularity of street cafes has been a growing trend across Northern Ireland and consequently I have listened to local stakeholders' appeals to put street cafes on a statutory footing. The licensing scheme which I am promoting will bring us into line with the rest of the UK and enable the controlled expansion of pavement cafes.
"In order to take this forward I recently secured Executive approval for the introduction of these proposals in the Assembly. They will complement my Department’s urban regeneration programmes which have included significant investment in the streetscape and provide an additional boost to the economic and general well-being of our town and city centres.’"
It is expected that the draft legislation will complete its Assembly passage by the end of the year.
(IT/MH)
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland introduced a Pavement Cafe Bill into the Assembly today.
Under the new rules, councils would be able to impose conditions, vary, suspend or revoke a licence and charge a "reasonable" fee.
A report from the DSD said: "There has been a significant increase in the number of pavement cafés operating in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, particularly since the 2007 introduction of the smoking ban. However, no legislation exists to enable the authorisation and control of such areas.
"The initiative is aimed at the local business community and would apply to the proprietors of relevant businesses such as cafés, restaurants, hotels and pubs who propose to provide a designated outdoor area furnished with tables and chairs for the benefit of their customers. Developing a café culture can have a positive effect on urban environments, help promote town and city centres, make a difference in terms of attracting visitors and tourists, and contribute to the general well-being of communities."
Outlining his plans, Minister McCausland said: "’The popularity of street cafes has been a growing trend across Northern Ireland and consequently I have listened to local stakeholders' appeals to put street cafes on a statutory footing. The licensing scheme which I am promoting will bring us into line with the rest of the UK and enable the controlled expansion of pavement cafes.
"In order to take this forward I recently secured Executive approval for the introduction of these proposals in the Assembly. They will complement my Department’s urban regeneration programmes which have included significant investment in the streetscape and provide an additional boost to the economic and general well-being of our town and city centres.’"
It is expected that the draft legislation will complete its Assembly passage by the end of the year.
(IT/MH)
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