The City of London’s Al Fresco dining is here to stay for one more year
The City of London Corporation has agreed to ease the weight on the hospitality industry by offering free pavement licences for one more year.
Amid table number and household restrictions, the UK’s hospitality sector has been making use of pavements for extra Al Fresco seating.
“We expect the buzz of the City will swiftly return and these free of charge pavement licences mean visitors to many of our dining establishments will be able to enjoy the great British weather while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the Square Mile,” chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Alastair Moss, said.
The Planning and Transportation Committee agreed to bespoke pavement licences in July last year, to ensure each use of the public space is safe.
Now restaurants and bars will be able to widen their outdoor seating offerings until the end of September next year.
However, permits may need to be revised as pedestrian numbers increase, the City Corporation said.
The pandemic-era seating style has had a strong uptake among City dwellers across the Square Mile, with 87 licenses issued to establishments in the area.