Outdoor dining could become permanent in West London after Covid pandemic boom

Al fresco dining could be set to stay in West London forever as a local council said it hoped to keep a bit of Europe’s café culture.

Streets could soon be closed or pedestrianised to make space for rows of outdoor diners.

During the lockdown 400 businesses set up outdoor dining in Kensington and Chelsea to help cope with Covid restrictions.

Outdoor dining remained popular even after Covid restrictions were lifted and the council licensed 114 outdoor dining terraces and more than 450 pavement licenses issued in the borough.

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The council also allowed 270 businesses to expand their outdoor dining spaces to create a winter wonderland feel in the colder months.

Now the borough has launched a six-week consultation to see if the trialled outdoor dining can stay forever.

Outdoor seating licenses may be given to eateries for the next five years and businesses could create larger, more imaginative outdoor dining spaces in that time.

RBKC could also introduce flexible licenses that allow restaurants, cafés and pubs to trade more easily on pavements.

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The council could also make it easier for parking bays to be closed and streets to be pedestrianised.

Residents are able to suggest ideas on how this could best work to the council up until December 31.

Councillor Johnny Thalassites, in charge of planning, place and environment, said: “Al fresco dining has taken over Kensington and Chelsea, with high demand for licenses and attractive outside spaces adding to the experience of buzzing destinations such as Pavilion Road and Bute Street.

“Adjusting our long-term policy around licensing means we can take successful interventions from the pandemic forward to benefit our businesses, residents and visitors.”

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https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/outdoor-dining-could-become-permanent-22192268

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