Mid and East Antrim traders can now avail of tables, chairs, parasols and “hedges” to develop an outdoor “cafe culture”.
The Street Furniture Scheme, which actually includes portable artificial hedges, is aimed at helping cafe owners to maximise their external space and welcome customers back following lockdown.
In June, the borough council announced that it would temporarily relax controls in relation to pavement cafés in a bid to support traders.
The council says it is keen for businesses to use public spaces within town centres to facilitate street cafes in the use of additional outdoor seating space.
The Licensing of Pavement Cafés normally requires business owners to have a licence permitting them to place tables and chairs on a public footpath.
Speaking previously, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “I want to ensure we support councils and assure traders and businesses that there are no planning barriers to temporary changes.
“This sensible approach to planning enforcement will ensure that there are no unnecessary restrictions on the hospitality industry providing on-street facilities to facilitate social distancing.”
Commenting on the Street Furniture scheme, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Peter Johnston said: “During these difficult times for businesses, this is an excellent scheme which allows traders to accommodate more people outdoors.
“Many of the small independent businesses that bring so much joy to local people and bring in tourists have been able to take advantage of government support to see them through the last few months.
“However this alone won’t help them to grow and create jobs in the face of so many new challenges.
“The Street Furniture Scheme gives them that extra bit of help to maximise their outdoor space and welcome customers back.”
The Street Furniture scheme is a part of the Peace IV St. Art Project funded through the Peace IV programme and managed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
St.ART (Street Art) is a cross community, inter-generational project that works with communities to “bring life into under-used and under-loved space”.
It is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
